Characterizing Plutonium-Containing Materials with a Fast-Neutron Multiplicity Counter

Year
2013
Author(s)
M. Flaska - University of Michigan
A. Enqvist - University of Michigan
Alexis Poitrasson-Riviere - University of Michigan
Sara A. Pozzi - University of Michigan
M. J. Marcath - University of Michigan
D. L. Chichester - Idaho National Laboratory
J. L. Dolan - University of Michigan
Abstract
A fast-neutron multiplicity-counter prototype was designed and built at the University of Michigan. Using a 252Cf fission source, the prototype’s neutron-multiplicity measurement abilities were tested. The prototype was also studied to characterize photon/neutron discrimination (2 of 1000 photons misclassified), sensitivity to neutron background (0.02 neutron doubles per second from the background), and detection efficiency (5% absolute efficiency). Lastly, simulations with MCNPX-PoliMi were validated with the 252Cf benchmark measurements.