Cryogenic gamma detectors enable direct detection of 236U and minor actinides for non-destructive assay

We demonstrate the utility of a superconducting transition edge sensor (TES) γ-ray detector with high energy resolution and low Compton background for non-destructive assay (NDA) of a uranium sample from reprocessed nuclear fuel. We show that TES γ-detectors can separate low-energy actinide γ-emissi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of radioanalytical and nuclear chemistry 2016, Vol.307 (3), p.1607-1610
Main Authors: Velazquez, Miguel, Dreyer, Jonathan, Drury, Owen B., Salaymeh, Saleem, Friedrich, Stephan
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Chemistry
Chemistry and Materials Science
Diagnostic Radiology
Hadrons
Heavy Ions
Inorganic Chemistry
Nuclear Chemistry
Nuclear Physics
Physical Chemistry
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Summary:We demonstrate the utility of a superconducting transition edge sensor (TES) γ-ray detector with high energy resolution and low Compton background for non-destructive assay (NDA) of a uranium sample from reprocessed nuclear fuel. We show that TES γ-detectors can separate low-energy actinide γ-emissions from the background and nearby lines, even from minor isotopes whose signals are often obscured in NDA with conventional Ge detectors. Superconducting γ-detectors may therefore bridge the gap between high-accuracy destructive assay (DA) and easier-to-use NDA.
ISSN:0236-5731
1588-2780
DOI:10.1007/s10967-015-4409-6