Alpha-n and spontaneous fission sources and spectra from individual plutonium isotopes in PuF4 and PuO2

Plutonium-containing compounds vary widely in isotopic content, and as a result, the dose as function of isotopic content also varies considerably. Determination of the dose from neutrons, decay and capture gammas from plutonium in the form of compounds thus requires that the spontaneous fission and (α,n) source and spectra from each individual isotope be known. To facilitate dose calculations from plutonium-containing compounds, we have calculated the spontaneous fission and (α,n) sources and spectra for 1 g of each of the plutonium isotopes in the form of either PuF4 or PuO2. As 241Am is often a component in a mixture of plutonium isotopic compounds, the source and spectra from 1 g of 241Am mixed with PuF4 or PuO2 has also been determined. Using these results, the neutron source and spectra may be determined for any sample composition. 2 refs., 3 tabs