Performance Calculations for Fast Active Neutron Assay

Year
1999
Author(s)
J.E. Stewart - Los Alarnos National Laboratory
W. H. Geist - Los Alamos National Laboratory
N. Ensslin - Los Alamos National Laboratory
D.R. Mayo - Los Alamos National Laboratory
M. S. Krick - Los Alamos National Laboratory
Abstract
This paper reports on performance calculations for fast and thermal active neutron assay using an updated Figure of Merit code and new spreadsheet algorithms that can calculate the expected precision for active neutron assay. Several fast neutron coincidence detector projects utilizing BC454/BGO phoswich or other scintillators are being researched at Los Alamos. In addition, a new Epithermal Neutron Multiplicity Counter has been developed that could be adapted for active assay. These developments open up new opportunities for faster active coincidence or multiplicity assay of uranium. We will report the results of performance calculations for these new active neutron assay options, and compare them with the current Active Well Coincidence Counter.