Insights into Prompt Gamma Response for Nuclear Forensics
Explore the advancements in prompt gamma response to epithermal-neutron activation for nuclear forensics. Learn about the development of a neutron chopper system, NAA at epithermal energies, prompt gamma deexcitation simulations, and ongoing work at Los Alamos Neutron Science Center. Discover how stable rare earths and Mo isotopic ratios are being examined for provenance assessment and processing history in this cutting-edge research field.
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Presentation Transcript
Update on Prompt-Gamma Response to Epithermal-Neutron Activation for Nuclear Forensics Brad Nethercutt, 3rdyear PhD student at the Pennsylvania State University PI: Dr. Marek Flaska, Associate Professor of Nuclear Engineering 1
Introduction and Motivation A time-of-flight neutron chopper system has been designed for the Penn State Breazeale Nuclear Reactor which will allow for the isolation of 0.5-40 eV epithermal neutrons along a beamline Penn State recently flagged the project as strategic initiative for university NSF MRI proposal focused on multi-disciplinary aspect of the project One proposed use for this system is neutron activation analysis (NAA) for nuclear forensic characterization NAA at epithermal energies leverages strong capture cross sections in resonance region Especially useful for assay of trace elements such as rare earth elements Recent work has focused specifically on prompt gamma activation analysis for determining sample provenance and processing history 2
Accomplishments Performed prompt gamma deexcitation simulations for potential target isotopes using DICEBOX There is a significant lack of reliable prompt gamma data Available data were almost always obtained from thermal neutron capture, and are only applicable to resonance captures in epithermal energy region with compatible spin and parity Developed data tool which identifies potential signals of interest within 0.5-40 eV energy range, to help optimize energy selections for chopper system 3
Conclusions and Ongoing Work Currently planning an experiment at the DANCE detector array at Los Alamos Neutron Science Center 160 BaF2 detectors covering nearly 4 around beamline target Possible to slot in our own HPGe detectors Identifying which specific gammas will be our signals of interest to determine composition of our target Examining prompt gammas from stable rare earths present in uranium-bearing ore for provenance assessment Examining various combinations of Mo isotopic ratios for processing history MTV connections helped facilitate both this collaboration with LANL and a summer opportunity at ORNL 4
