Estimation of the plutonium isotopic ratio in a plutonium-beryllium howitzer using gamma spectrometry

Authors

  • John Jerome G. Mataac ⋅ PH Department of Science and Technology − Philippine Nuclear Research Institute
  • Cheri Anne M. Dingle ⋅ PH Department of Science and Technology − Philippine Nuclear Research Institute
  • Frederick C. Hila ⋅ PH Department of Science and Technology − Philippine Nuclear Research Institute
  • Julius Federico M. Jecong ⋅ PH Department of Science and Technology − Philippine Nuclear Research Institute
  • Alvie A. Astronomo ⋅ PH Department of Science and Technology − Philippine Nuclear Research Institute

Abstract

The gamma-ray spectrum of a 239PuBe neutron source was analyzed to identify and quantify its isotopic composition. In addition to the previously reported 239Pu isotope, the present work confirms the presence of 240Pu and 241Pu. The isotopes' theoretical masses were computed to be 16.1 g 239Pu, 3.96 g 240Pu, and 1.86 mg 241Pu. Based on these, the 239PuBe neutron howitzer contains 80.24% 239Pu, 19.73% 240Pu, and 0.03% 241Pu. The results will be useful in simulating irradiation systems based on 239PuBe (e.g., low-dose uniform neutron irradiation system) and verifying dose rates and neutron fluxes for various applications such as neutron activation analysis and detector calibration.

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Issue

Article ID

SPP-2022-PA-05

Section

Poster Session A (Materials Science, Instrumentation, and Photonics)

Published

2022-10-01

How to Cite

[1]
JJG Mataac, CAM Dingle, FC Hila, JFM Jecong, and AA Astronomo, Estimation of the plutonium isotopic ratio in a plutonium-beryllium howitzer using gamma spectrometry, Proceedings of the Samahang Pisika ng Pilipinas 40, SPP-2022-PA-05 (2022). URL: https://proceedings.spp-online.org/article/view/SPP-2022-PA-05.