Open AccessAlpha-n and spontaneous fission sources and spectra from individual plutonium isotopes in PuF{sub 4} and PuO{sub 2}
Author(s) -
R.T. Perry,
W.B. Wilson
Publication year - 1996
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Reports
DOI - 10.2172/392754
Subject(s) - plutonium , isotope , spontaneous fission , plutonium 239 , radiochemistry , fission , plutonium 240 , spectral line , chemistry , neutron , fission products , alpha particle , fission product yield , nuclear physics , physics , astronomy
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 ({alpha},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 ({alpha},n) sources and spectra for 1 g of each of the plutonium isotopes in the form of either PuF{sub 4} or PuO{sub 2}. As {sup 241}Am is often a component in a mixture of plutonium isotopic compounds, the source and spectra from 1 g of {sup 241}Am mixed with PuF{sub 4} or PuO{sub 2} has also been determined. Using these results, the neutron source and spectra may be determined for any sample composition. 2 refs., 3 tabs