Dual-Mode Non-Hygroscopic Ceramic Scintillators for Material Accounting

Statement of Problem: The U.S. domestic nuclear materials management and safeguards require new innovative technologies for use in emerging nuclear fuel cycles. Novel sensor materials and measurement techniques for nuclear material control and accounting that are designed, and tailored under specific operating conditions, to increase accuracy, resolution, and radiation survivability while decreasing intrusiveness on operations and manufacturing costs are part of meeting these requirements. How the Problem is Addressed: The goal of this project is to develop a gamma spectroscopy system to locate, identify, and quantify material in an inert hot cell utilizing a new, high-performance ceramic scintillator that is rugged, nonhygroscopic and can operate at high temperature and radiation environment. To meet these requirements, we propose to investigate and develop a new dual-mode ceramic scintillator. This will allow incorporation of neutron detection capabilities to the spectroscopy system. Plans for Phase I: The goals of Phase-I are two-fold: (1) Optimize LuAG:Pr for high temperature performance and enhance it with thermal neutron detection capabilities (2) Build a prototype detector for evaluation at Idaho National Laboratory. The effort will consist of optimization of the material through dopant concentration studies and design and assemble an initial prototype detector system that will be used in hot cell application. Commercial and Scientific Potential: A radiation detection system built utilizing novel scintillator materials capable of simultaneous detection of gamma-rays and neutrons at high temperatures and high radiation environments, with good gammaray resolution and neutron efficiency will easily find its application in nuclear material accounting, well logging, nuclear plant management and decommissioning, dosimetry, homeland security, and physics research.