Neutron and gamma-ray energy reconstruction for characterization of special nuclear material

Journal Article · 30 June 2017 · Nuclear Engineering and Technology

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.net.2017.06.005 · OSTI ID:1454794

Clarke, Shaun D. ^[1]; Hamel, Michael C. ^[1]; Di fulvio, Angela ^[1]; Pozzi, Sara A. ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (United States). Dept. of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences

Characterization of special nuclear material may be performed using energy spectroscopy of either the neutron or gamma-ray emissions from the sample. Gamma-ray spectroscopy can be performed relatively easily using high-resolution semiconductors such as high-purity germanium. Neutron spectroscopy, by contrast, is a complex inverse problem. Here, results are presented for ²⁵²Cf and PuBe energy spectra unfolded using a single EJ309 organic scintillator; excellent agreement is observed with the reference spectra. Neutron energy spectroscopy is also possible using a two-plane detector array, whereby time-offlight kinematics can be used. With this system, energy spectra can also be obtained as a function of position. Finally, spatial-dependent energy spectra are presented for neutron and gamma-ray sources that are in excellent agreement with expectations.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Office of Nonproliferation and Verification Research and Development (NA-22)
• Grant/Contract Number: NA0002534
• OSTI ID: 1454794
• Journal Information: Nuclear Engineering and Technology, Vol. 49, Issue 6; ISSN 1738-5733
• Publisher: Korean Nuclear SocietyCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English