Transuranic isotopic analysis using gamma rays

Transuranic waste typically emits gamma rays that are characteristic of the isotopic composition of the materials. If the area of the gamma ray photopeaks in a High Purity Ge (HPGe) spectrum can be accurately determined and if the gamma ray/x-ray branching ratios and half-lives for the radionuclides in the sample are known the relative concentration of each isotope in the waste can be determined using tomographic techniques. Methods used to accurately determine these photopeaks usually requires a computer code that does multi-peak analysis and unfolding of a given part of the gamma-ray spectrum. Computer techniques allow an accurate determination of the photopeaks and hence the isotopic composition of the waste material. These computer techniques can be automated for different spectra within a wide range of possible isotopic compositions. To improve photopeak statistics all of the spectra taken in a tomographic survey of the sample are summed and are used in the isotopic analysis. The method, accuracy, and limitations of this type of isotopic analysis system will be discussed. The gamma ray acquisition system is currently being upgraded with multiple HPGe detectors to improve the counting statistics obtainable in a given amount of time. The results of the DOE performance evaluations and the progress of the multiple detector upgrade will be discussed