SOME TARGET ASSAY UNCERTAINTIES FOR PASSIVE NEUTRON COINCIDENCE COUNTING

Year
1990
Author(s)
M.C. Miller - Los Alamos National Laboratory
D.G. Langner - Los Alamos National Laboratory
H.O. Menlove - Los Alamos National Laboratory
N. Ensslin - Los Alamos National Laboratory
P.A. Russo - Los Alamos National Laboratory
Abstract
This paper provides some target assay uncertainties for passive neutron coincidence counting of plutonium metal, oxide, mixed oxide, and scrap and waste. The target values are based in part on past user experience and in part on the estimated results from new coincidence counting techniques that are under development. The paper summarizes assay error sources and the new coincidence techniques, and recommends the technique that is likely to yield the lowest assay uncertainty for a given material type. These target assay uncertainties are intended to be useful for NDA instrument selection and assay variance propagation studies for both new and existing facilities.