Determination Of Plutonium Isotopic Ratios By Using Low Energy Gamma Ray Spectroscopy

A nondestructive gamma-ray technique has been developed to determine plutonium isotopic ratios. The technique is based on the high-intensity, low-energy gamma rays at 43.48, 45.23, 51.63, 59.54, and 64.83 keV for 238Pu, 24°Pu, 239Pu, 241Am, and 241Pu, respectively. The results demonstrate that this technique can accurately measure plutonium samples in a timely manner and in a wide range of masses, isotopic contents, chemical forms, and ages from chemical processing.