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

We demonstrate the utility of a superconducting transition edge sensor (TES) [gamma]-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 [gamma]-detectors can separate low-energy actin...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of radioanalytical and nuclear chemistry 2016-03, Vol.307 (3), p.1607
Main Authors: Velazquez, Miguel, Dreyer, Jonathan, Drury, Owen B, Salaymeh, Saleem, Friedrich, Stephan
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Fuel reprocessing (Nuclear reactors)
Gamma rays
Nuclear industry
Radioactive substances
Sensors
Superconductors
Uranium
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:We demonstrate the utility of a superconducting transition edge sensor (TES) [gamma]-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 [gamma]-detectors can separate low-energy actinide [gamma]-emissions from the background and nearby lines, even from minor isotopes whose signals are often obscured in NDA with conventional Ge detectors. Superconducting [gamma]-detectors may therefore bridge the gap between high-accuracy destructive assay (DA) and easier-to-use NDA.
ISSN:0236-5731
DOI:10.1007/s10967-015-4409-6