Work

Development of a Table-Top NRTA System: Monte Carlo Study of Collimator/Shielding for Pu Pellet Sample Measurement

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The present Monte Carlo study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of a table-top Neutron Resonance Transmission Analysis (NRTA) system for measuring small Nuclear Material (NM) samples, such as plutonium (Pu) pellets, using a compact 252 Cf spontaneous fission neutron source.Time-of-flight spectra obtained from a 2 cm³ cylindrical Pu pellet sample exhibited resonance dips when subjected to collimator/shielding made of polyethylene (PE) that contained 20 % of B₂O₃ (B₂O₃-PE) and 50 % of LiF (LiF-PE).In contrast, the TOF spectra obtained using plain PE and air exhibited no discernible resonance dips.These results demonstrate the capability of the designed table-top NRTA system to measure small NM samples efficiently when employing suitable collimator/shielding materials.Given the results associated with B₂O₃-PE, it is planned to be used in implementing the physical table-top NRTA system.

Source: Progress in Nuclear Science and Technology

DOI: 10.15669/pnst.8.377

Authors: Cebastien Joel GUEMBOU SHOUOP, Harufumi TSUCHIYA

Institution: Japan Atomic Energy Agency

Language: English

Topic: Nuclear Physics and Applications

Subfield: Radiation

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: diamond

Funders: Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan Atomic Energy Agency

Awards: G3978147871, G6856085930