A generalized method for characterization of 235U and 239Pu content using short-lived fission product gamma spectroscopy
Abstract
Rapid non-destructive assay methods for trace fissile material analysis are needed in both nuclear forensics and safeguards communities. To address these needs, research at the High Flux Isotope Reactor Neutron Activation Analysis laboratory has developed a generalized non-destructive assay method to characterize materials containing fissile isotopes. This method relies on gamma-ray emissions from short-lived fission products and capitalizes off of differences in fission product yields to identify fissile compositions of trace material samples. Although prior work has explored the use of short-lived fission product gamma-ray measurements, the proposed method is the first to provide a holistic characterization of isotopic identification, mass ratios, and absolute mass determination. Successful single fissile isotope mass recoveries of less than 6% error have been conducted on standards of 235U and 239Pu as low as 12 nanograms in less than 10 minutes. Additionally, mixtures of fissile isotope standards containing 235U and 239Pu have been characterized as low as 229 nanograms of fissile mass with less than 12% error. The generalizability of this method is illustrated by evaluating different fissile isotopes, mixtures of fissile isotopes, and two different irradiation positions in the reactor. Furthermore, it is anticipated that this method will be expanded to characterize additional fissilemore »
- Authors:
- Publication Date:
- Research Org.:
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
- Sponsoring Org.:
- USDOE
- OSTI Identifier:
- 1380032
- Alternate Identifier(s):
- OSTI ID: 1267025
- Grant/Contract Number:
- AC05-00OR22725
- Resource Type:
- Published Article
- Journal Name:
- Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research. Section A, Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment
- Additional Journal Information:
- Journal Name: Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research. Section A, Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment Journal Volume: 833 Journal Issue: C; Journal ID: ISSN 0168-9002
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
- Country of Publication:
- Netherlands
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY; 98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL PROTECTION; gamma spectroscopy; short-lived fission products; neutron activation analysis; nuclear forensics; safeguards; ORIGEN
Citation Formats
Knowles, Justin, Skutnik, Steven, Glasgow, David, and Kapsimalis, Roger. A generalized method for characterization of 235U and 239Pu content using short-lived fission product gamma spectroscopy. Netherlands: N. p., 2016.
Web. doi:10.1016/j.nima.2016.06.112.
Knowles, Justin, Skutnik, Steven, Glasgow, David, & Kapsimalis, Roger. A generalized method for characterization of 235U and 239Pu content using short-lived fission product gamma spectroscopy. Netherlands. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nima.2016.06.112
Knowles, Justin, Skutnik, Steven, Glasgow, David, and Kapsimalis, Roger. Sat .
"A generalized method for characterization of 235U and 239Pu content using short-lived fission product gamma spectroscopy". Netherlands. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nima.2016.06.112.
@article{osti_1380032,
title = {A generalized method for characterization of 235U and 239Pu content using short-lived fission product gamma spectroscopy},
author = {Knowles, Justin and Skutnik, Steven and Glasgow, David and Kapsimalis, Roger},
abstractNote = {Rapid non-destructive assay methods for trace fissile material analysis are needed in both nuclear forensics and safeguards communities. To address these needs, research at the High Flux Isotope Reactor Neutron Activation Analysis laboratory has developed a generalized non-destructive assay method to characterize materials containing fissile isotopes. This method relies on gamma-ray emissions from short-lived fission products and capitalizes off of differences in fission product yields to identify fissile compositions of trace material samples. Although prior work has explored the use of short-lived fission product gamma-ray measurements, the proposed method is the first to provide a holistic characterization of isotopic identification, mass ratios, and absolute mass determination. Successful single fissile isotope mass recoveries of less than 6% error have been conducted on standards of 235U and 239Pu as low as 12 nanograms in less than 10 minutes. Additionally, mixtures of fissile isotope standards containing 235U and 239Pu have been characterized as low as 229 nanograms of fissile mass with less than 12% error. The generalizability of this method is illustrated by evaluating different fissile isotopes, mixtures of fissile isotopes, and two different irradiation positions in the reactor. Furthermore, it is anticipated that this method will be expanded to characterize additional fissile nuclides, utilize various irradiation sources, and account for increasingly complex sample matrices.},
doi = {10.1016/j.nima.2016.06.112},
journal = {Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research. Section A, Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment},
number = C,
volume = 833,
place = {Netherlands},
year = {Sat Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 2016},
month = {Sat Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 2016}
}
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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nima.2016.06.112
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