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Title: A New Era of Nuclear Criticality Experiments: The First 10 Years of Radiation Test Object Operations at NCERC

Journal Article · · Nuclear Science and Engineering
ORCiD logo [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [2];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [1]
  1. Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
  2. Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States); Texas A & M Univ., College Station, TX (United States)
+ Show Author Affiliations

The work presented in this paper focuses on the first 10 years (2011–2020) of radiation test object (RTO) operations at the National Criticality Experiments Research Center. RTOs are subcritical configurations of special nuclear material that are built by hand. These configurations are utilized for benchmark experiments, detector testing/characterization, and training. An overview of the types of measurements used in RTO operations is given as well as a history of RTO operations at Los Alamos National Laboratory from 1944–2011.

Research Organization:
Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP)
Grant/Contract Number:
89233218CNA000001
OSTI ID:
1900246
Journal Information:
Nuclear Science and Engineering, Vol. 195, Issue sup1; ISSN 0029-5639
Publisher:
Taylor & FrancisCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Figures / Tables (23)

TABLE I(p. 3)table TABLE I
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Related Subjects

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS
96 KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AND PRESERVATION
Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP)
Integral Experiments
Criticality Experiments
Gamma Detectors
National Criticality Experiments Research Center
Neutron Multiplication
Radiation Test Object
Special Nuclear Material
Subcritical Benchmark
Subcritical Measurements