Neutron fluence and energy reproducibility of a 2-dollar TRIGA reactor pulse

• Published in: Journal of radioanalytical and nuclear chemistry 2009-10, Vol.282 (1), p.59-62
• Main Authors: Payne, Rosara F., Drader, J. A., Friese, J. I., Greenwood, L. R., Hines, C. C., Metz, L. A., Kephart, J. D., King, M. D., Pierson, B. D., Smith, J. D., Wall, D. E.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Activation energy; Cadmium; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Diagnostic Radiology; dosimetry; Fluence; Hadrons; Heavy Ions; Inorganic Chemistry; NAA; NEUTRON ACTIVATION ANALYSIS; NEUTRON FLUENCE; NEUTRONS; Nuclear Chemistry; Nuclear engineering; Nuclear Physics; Nuclear power generation; Nuclear reactor components; Nuclear reactors; Physical Chemistry; PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS; reactor pulse; Reproducibility; SHIELDING
• ISSN: 0236-5731; 1588-2780
• DOI: 10.1007/s10967-009-0302-5

Washington State University’s 1 MW TRIGA reactor has a long history of utilization for neutron activation analysis (NAA). TRIGA reactors have the ability to pulse, reach supercritical ( k  > 1) for short bursts of time (~50 ms). At this high power and fast time the energy spectrum and neutron fluence are largely uncharacterized. The pulse neutron energy spectrum and fluence were determined by the activation of Cu, Au, Co, Fe, and Ti. These analyses were completed with and without Cd shielding to determine reproducibility between pulses. The applications and implications of the neutron energy and fluence reproducibility to the use of pulsed NAA will be discussed.