Design and characterization of the fission signature assay instrument for nuclear safeguards

Rossi, F. ; 小泉 光生 ; Rodriguez, D. ; 高橋 時音

Rossi, F.; Koizumi, Mitsuo; Rodriguez, D.; Takahashi, Tone

Since 2015, the Integrated Support Center for Nuclear Nonproliferation and Nuclear Security (ISCN) of the Japan Atomic Energy Agency has been working on the development of the Delayed Gamma-ray Spectroscopy non-destructive assay technique for the quantification of fissile-nuclide content in mixed nuclear materials. Thanks to the efforts and lessons learned from past experiments, the ISCN has successfully designed and fabricated a final integrated instrument. The instrument is composed of a moderator and dose shield where different neutron sources, like Cf-252 and neutron generators, can be inserted to irradiate the sample. Within the moderator, a series of neutron detectors are installed for perform prompt neutron analysis and continuous monitoring of the neutron source emission. Thanks to an innovative transfer system, the sample is then moved to the gamma-ray detector in less than 1.5s providing a fast and reliable movement while being safe from possible contamination. In this work, we will describe the design details of this new instrument. This work is supported by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT) under the subsidy for the "promotion for strengthening nuclear security and the like".