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Title: Rapid, autonomous analysis of HPGe gamma-ray spectra III: Plutonium identification and characterization

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/1124897· OSTI ID:1124897
 [1];  [1]
  1. Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)

RadID is a gamma-ray spectrum analysis program originally written to assist in the detection of the illicit movement of nuclear material. It is specific to the rapid analysis of HPGe gamma-ray data to reveal the radionuclide signatures of interest that may be present in the spectra. It is an autonomous, rule-based heuristic system that can identify well over 200 radioactive sources in about one second. RadID does not require knowledge of the detector efficiency, the source-todetector distance, or the geometry of the inspected radiation source—including any shielding. In this third of a three-document series we discuss how RadID detects the presence of plutonium isotopes and determines a number of its characteristics, most notably: the spectral characteristics of weapons-grade plutonium, reactor-grade plutonium, and heat-source plutonium used in radioisotope thermoelectric generators.

Research Organization:
Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-48
OSTI ID:
1124897
Report Number(s):
LLNL-TR-650534
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English