Delayed gamma-ray spectroscopy, 2; Experimental studies for determination of fissile materials ratios

Rossi, F. ; Koizumi, Mitsuo ; Rodriguez, D. ; Takamine, Jun ; Seya, Michio; Pedersen, B.*; Crochemore, J. M.*; Abbas, K.*; Bogucarska, T.*; Varasano, G.*

In the field of nuclear safeguards, new and improved active-interrogation NDA technologies are needed for the independent verification of the fissile composition in HRNM. JAEA and the JRC are now collaborating to develop DGS to determine ratios of fissile nuclides present in the sample measuring the decay gamma rays from FP. Measurements of LRNM samples are underway using different facilities. To minimize the interference from the LLFP, it is important to use shielding and to consider those gamma rays above 3-MeV. Different compact neutron sources are available, but all of them need to be slowed down to the thermal energy region. We are optimizing moderator and reflector materials using MCNP. Optimization of the irradiation, transfer and measurement sequence is now underway. The experiments we are conducting using certified mono-elemental U/Pu samples allow us to associate observed DG to the proportional isotopic compositions. In this paper we will present the current status of the optimization process and the experimental campaign for the determination of the ratio of fissile materials of U and Pu in a sample.