Measurement and characterization of nuclear material at idaho national laboratory

Jennifer L. Dolan, M. Fiaska, S. A. Pozzi, D. L. Chichester

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

A measurement plan and preliminary Monte Carlo simulations are presented for the investigation of well-defined mixed-oxide fuel pins. Measurement analysis including pulse-height distributions and time-dependent cross-correlation functions will be performed separately for neutrons and gamma rays. The utilization of Monte Carlo particle transport codes, specifically MCNP-PoliMi, is discussed in conjunction with the anticipated measurements. Four EJ-309 liquid scintillation detectors with an accurate pulse timing and digital, offline, optimized pulse-shape discrimination method will be used to prove the dependency of pulse-height distributions, cross-correlation functions, and material multiplicities upon fuel pin composition, fuel pin quantity, and detector geometry. The objective of the measurements and simulations is to identify novel methods for describing mixed-oxide fuel samples by relating measured quantities to fuel characteristics such as criticality, mass quantity, and material composition. This research has applications in nuclear safeguards and nonproliferation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)40-47
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Nuclear Materials Management
Volume38
Issue number1
StatePublished - Sep 2009

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