Development of A Training Course on Non-Destructive Assay of
Nuclear Material for The Asian Region
(2) Development of Lectures and Exercises on Gamma-ray Measurement

Year
2023
Author(s)
Masahiko Yamamoto - Japan Atomic Energy Agency
Soma Kono - Japan Atomic Energy Agency
Yu Saegusa - Japan Atomic Energy Agency
Takehiko Kuno - Japan Atomic Energy Agency
Megumi Sekine - Japan Atomic Energy Agency
Naoko Inoue - Japan Atomic Energy Agency
Naoko Noro - Japan Atomic Energy Agency
Douglas Rodriguez - Japan Atomic Energy Agency
Tomoki Yamaguchi - Japan Atomic Energy Agency
Jacob Stinnett - Los Alamos National Laboratory
File Attachment
Abstract
The training participants in the Asian region are interested in determination of U by gamma-ray measurement. The gamma-ray measurement part of NDA course was designed to focus on principles of detection methods and instrumental operation of gamma-ray measurement allotting 2 days out of 5 days. In order to maximize the exercise time, lectures on basic characteristics and detection methods of gamma-ray, and instrumental structure of HPGe, NaI(Tl) and CZT detectors, were provided as e-learnings. The 4 e-learning modules were newly developed and provided to the participants as pre-requisite. The part with 0.5-day for recap lectures and 1.5- day for hands-on exercises were implemented in JAEA facility. Participants have set up each gamma-ray detector and its components, checked parameters of the instrument and performed energy calibration by themselves. The exercise included the measurement of U and the other gamma-ray emitting nuclides such as Cs-137, Co-60 and Eu-152. Also, determination of U-235 enrichment by HPGe and NaI(Tl) have been performed. In addition, participants were trained with a handheld gamma-ray spectrometer, HM-5, that is popular for IAEA safeguards as the preparation in the measurement exercise of fresh fuel assemblies in JRR-3, a research reactor facility of JAEA. Comments from participants regarding contents of the course were collected after all curriculums were finished. It was confirmed from participants’ comments that the course was meaningful to participants for NDA assay of nuclear material. This paper reports on the development, implementation, and feedback from participants on lectures and exercises of the gamma-ray measurement part of NDA course.