An integrated system of NDA instruments for in-field plutonium measurement

This paper introduces a UKAEA concept for developing a series of NDA instruments using one common type of computer. The system described is for the measurement of unirradiated plutonium samples and comprises a neutron counter, a calorimeter and a plutonium isotopic determination gamma spectrometer. Each instrument is fitted with an IBM PC computer or equivalent. Emphasis is placed on the storage of measured data and its subsequent retrieval for quality assurance and comparison with earlier measurements, and for transfer to other instruments. Current measurements on reference materials are compared to measurements previously carried out, and the operator informed of the quality of current measurements compared to those already stored. The three instruments may be used individually so data transfer between them will be by floppy disc. Manual data entry is avoided where possible. A description of each instrument, and of their combined role, concludes with a brief account of current progress in implementation