Year
1985
Abstract
A plutonium neutron source simulator has been developed to test the electronics of neutron coincidence counters used for non-destructive analysis of plutonium by the IAEA. The simulator utilizes a rate selectable digital random pulse circuit with coincidence pulses provided at selected intervals and with a known period. The result is an instrument which produces pulses that closely simulate various spontaneously fissioning nuclear materials with differing masses, matrices, and isotopic compositions. The paper describes the circuit and its application to the testing of neutron coincidence counter electronics. An additional use of the simulator is its application in the training of Safeguards inspectors in neutron counting techniques at locations where large quantities of plutonium are not allowed.