Measurement of uranium mass and enrichment by time correlation coincidence method

Background: Nuclear materials especially highly enriched uranium materials attract more and more attentions, and increasing methods and technical means are used to detect its information of mass and enrichment. Purpose: In order to solve the key technique problem of measuring the mass and enrichment of highly enriched uranium materials in the heavy shielded containers, a novel trial method was proposed in the paper: Methods: Time correlation coincidence method was implemented by using 14-MeV neutrons and continuous spectrum neutrons obtained by moderating 14-MeV neutrons to interrogate uranium materials inside of lead container with different mass and enrichment. Results: Within the certain range of low enrichment, the relation of different uranium samples mass of same enrichment was linear, and so was the relation of different uranium samples enrichment of same mass. Conclusion: Time correlation coincidence method might be an effective solution to measure the mass and enrichment of uranium materials in the heavy shielded container in the future. (authors)