Determination of uranium enrichment using low energy X and gamma rays

For determination of uranium isotopic fraction, generally, mass spectrometry is used. When this system is not available and in the case of need to local measurements, by using of transportable detectors, the technique of measurement low-energy X and gamma rays, could be employed. A nondestructive and accurate method for determination of uranium enrichment (isotopic fraction of U-235) using gamma spectrometry system equipped with a high- purity germanium detector is used. The basis is, comparing the 89.96 keV thorium X ray from U-235 decay with a 92-keV gamma ray doublet from a U-238 daughter. Because the gamma ray and X ray used for the determination are close in energy, the self-absorption corrections are minimized. (author)