Homogeneity testing by gamma-ray spectrometry to uranium dioxide characterization purpose

The Brazilian nuclear facilities must dispose of measurement systems that allow the determination of nuclear material inventories. The goal of this work is the characterization of enriched uranium dioxide pellets to use a test sample to evaluate and verify these systems through the participation of the involved laboratories in intercomparison programs. Therefore, before being sent to laboratories, the UO₂ pellets from two different batches had their homogeneity proved by high resolution gamma-ray spectrometry method. No statistical significant differences were observed in the results of ²³⁵U isotopic abundance. Both batches are considered homogeneous. (author)