Bismuth Germanate Scintillators: Applications in Nuclear Safeguards and Health Physics

摘要

Bismuth germanate (BGO) scintillators are preferable to NaI(Tl) scintillators or germanium detectors for some applications in nuclear safeguards and health physics. The first system, which consists of eight scintillators and a computer-based data acquisition system, is very efficient. The second, which consists of one scintillator and a small analyzer, is less efficient but portable. A computer code that uses measured response functions and photopeak efficiencies, unfolds the BGO distributions measured with these systems to determine gamma-ray flux spectra and dose rates. One application of these systems is the accurate determination of flux spectra and dose rates from containers of uranium or plutonium. A second application determined these quantities from a replica of Little Boy, the device exploded over Hiroshima. 7 refs., 6 figs. (ERA citation 10:028618)