A New Era of Nuclear Criticality Experiments: The First 10 Years of Radiation Test Object Operations at NCERC. (5th November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hutchinson, Jesson; Bounds, John; Cutler, Theresa; Dinwiddie, Derek; Goda, Joetta; Grove, Travis; Hayes, David; McKenzie, George; McSpaden, Alexander; Miller, James; Myers, William; Ordonez Ferrer, Ernesto Andres; Sanchez, Rene; Smith, Travis; Stults, Katrina; Thompson, Nicholas; Walker, Jessie
• Is Part Of: Nuclear science and engineering. Volume 195(2021)Supplement 1
• Page Start: S80
• Page End: S98
• Publication Date: 2021-11-05
• Subjects: Criticality experiments -- gamma detectors -- National Criticality Experiments Research Center -- neutron multiplication -- radiation test object -- special nuclear material -- subcritical benchmark -- subcritical measurements; Nuclear energy -- Periodicals; Nuclear engineering -- Periodicals; Nuclear energy; Nuclear engineering; Periodicals; 539.705
• DOI: 10.1080/00295639.2021.1918938
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0029-5639

Abstract

Abstract: The work presented in this paper focuses on the first 10 years (2011–2020) of radiation test object (RTO) operations at the National Criticality Experiments Research Center. RTOs are subcritical configurations of special nuclear material that are built by hand. These configurations are utilized for benchmark experiments, detector testing/characterization, and training. An overview of the types of measurements used in RTO operations is given as well as a history of RTO operations at Los Alamos National Laboratory from 1944–2011.