Sharma, Manish K. | Search NASA

DOE OSTI2023

Development and performance evaluation of a novel γ-γ coincidence analysis software

Processing of large amounts of data from a γ-γ coincidence system is a practical challenge in trace-level radionuclide measurements. Given the benefits and growing number of multidimensional gamma spectrometers worldwide, this is a major restriction in wide-spread applicability of coincidence techniques. This study demonstrates a novel γ-γ coincidence analysis software developed at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, USA. The software utilizes advanced search techniques and Python libraries to readily identify coincidence signatures in the large data. Further, using both synthetic and experimental data, the study uncovers various strategies/libraries employed during software’s development. This work aims to provide a reference document in handling large data routinely encountered in trace-level measurements.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

DOE OSTI2022

Projected network performance for next generation aerosol monitoring systems

Aerosol monitoring for radioactivity is a mature and proven technology. However, by improving key specifications of aerosol monitoring equipment, more samples per day can be collected and analyzed with the same minimum detectable concentrations as current systems. This work models hypothetical releases of 140 Ba and 131 I over a range of magnitudes corresponding to the inventory produced from the fission of about 100 g to 1 kiloton TNT-equivalent of 235 U. The releases occur over an entire year to incorporate the natural variability in atmospheric transport. Sampling equipment located at the 79 locations for radionuclide stations identified in the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) for the International Monitoring System are used to determine the detections of the individual releases. Alternative collection schemes in next generation equipment that collect 2, 3, or 4 samples per day, rather than the current 1 sample per day, would result in detections in many more samples at more stations with detections for a given release level. The authors posit that next generation equipment will result in increased network resilience to outages and improved source-location capability for lower yield source releases. The application of dual-detector and coincidence measurements to these systems would significantly boost sensitivity for some isotopes and would further enhance the monitoring capability.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗