A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION FOR THE USE OF DIGITAL
GAMMA-GAMMA COINCIDENCE SPECTROMETRY TO DETECT 239Pu
Conny Egozi, Francis Martinez, Brandon De Luna, James Terry, Sheldon Landsberger
Pages: 110–114
DOI: 10.21175/RadProc.2021.21
Abstract |
References | Cite This | Full Text (PDF)
Gamma-ray spectrometry is one of the most effective ways to determine the
activity of 239Pu, depending on activity levels. However, often high backgrounds in
complex spectra with low amounts of 239Pu can increase detection limits. The effectiveness of the use of
gamma-gamma spectrometry in the characterization of 239Pu is studied for the first time. Using the XIA Pixie-16 digital pulse
processor, gamma-gamma coincidences were measured to study the unshielded
background radiation as a function of the source to detector distance, and
gating of several gamma-rays from 239Pu. The Poisson distribution of the acquired pulses has been also verified.
In addition, measurements demonstrated that the background radiation is
strongly reduced, meaning gamma-gamma spectroscopy can be very effective to
avoid the usual lead shielding. Other measurements were taken to assure
Poisson statistics were attained in the digital system. Preliminary
measurements revealed 3 orders of magnitude background reduction for the
measurement of 239Pu using gated gamma-rays.
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Conny Egozi, Francis Martinez, Brandon De Luna, James Terry, Sheldon Landsberger, "A preliminary investigation for the use of digital
gamma-gamma coincidence spectrometry to detect 239Pu", RAD Conf. Proc, vol. 5, 2021, pp. 110–114, http://doi.org/10.21175/RadProc.2021.21
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