Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Neutron Resonance Transmission Analysis (NRTA) is a non-destructive technique allowing the elemental and isotopic characterization of materials and objects. This study represents a first step toward understanding the NRTA technique and developing a novel compact system adapted for industrial applications. The industrial feasibility of the NRTA was assessed by simulating a compact system using the Monte Carlo code MCNP 6.1. Neutron transmission spectra were generated for various metallic samples, ranging from 0.1 mm to 1 cm in thickness, and analyzed using a home-developed quantification method that incorporates nuclear cross sections from the ENDF/B-VIII.0 library and accounts for instrumental resolution. For this first study, an idealized configuration was considered, with a 0 µs pulsed neutron source and a Gaussian resolution function, to validate the methodology under a simple controlled condition. The results demonstrate that the areal densities of isotopes of Uranium and Plutonium can be determined with relative deviations below 10%, even under compact measurement conditions. This study validates the characterization method and represents a first step toward the continued development of an industrial NRTA prototype for rapid, non-destructive isotopic control of nuclear materials.
Source: Instruments
Authors: Melissa Azzoune, Ludovic Mathieu, Ngoc Duy Trinh, Mourad Aïche, Laurence Villatte, Fabrice Piquemal, Lionel Tondut, Sylvain Pelletier
Language: English
Subfield: Radiation
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,689
OpenAlex ID: W4416718858