MGA++ Studies of U/Pu Gamma-ray Standards with two Falcon 5000 Mechanical cooled HPGe Detection Systems

With recent advancements in the mechanical cooled HPGe detection system, it is possible to perform plutonium and uranium gamma-ray analysis with isotopic analysis codes such as MGA++. In this study, we used two Falcon 5000 mechanical cooled HPGe systems (with 120-keV energy resolution of ~820eV and ~ 920eV, respectively) as well as a safeguards type liquid nitrogen cooled HPGe (energy resolution ~ 650eV) detection system. A wide range of uranium and plutonium gamma-ray standards were used. The goal of this study is to understand the limitations/biases of MGA++ when applying directly to the new detection systems that have energy resolution slightly outside the recommended energy resolution ( < 600 eV) specified by the MGA++.