AMSR150 Neutron Coincidence Counter

Neutron Coincidence Counting Complete with IAEA Authorization!

The Latest Generation of Los Alamos Advanced Multiplicity Shift Register, Engineered to the Needs of the IAEA, and Ideal for Portable, Fixed, and Remote Monitoring Applications

• Full multiplicity electronics provide neutron foreground and background distributions for multiplicities up to 256
• Local data storage and time-of-day clock provide for autonomous operation in the event of network interruption
• Optional Software: Latest versions of INCC Neutron Coincidence Counting program and MIC, Multi-Instrument Collect
• Emulates and is backward-compatible with JSR-11 and JSR-12 shift registers

By offering backward compatibility with the JSR-11, JSR-12, JSR-14, and PSR, the AMSR 150 provides a smooth upgrade path for older installations. Full compatibility with the latest version of the optional INCC Neutron Coincidence Counting program is therefore guaranteed.

When controlled remotely, AMSR 150 is a buffered, intelligent instrument, suitable for use in remote monitoring systems, for unattended mode NDA. Data from multiple runs may be processed and stored inside the instrument when the network is temporarily unavailable; data transmission may be encrypted and authenticated if   required. An onboard, time-of-day clock is provided. The AMSR 150 is fully supported by the latest versions of the optional Los Alamos INCC and Multi-Instrument Collect (MIC) programs.

Operating the AMSR 150 from the Front Panel
The AMSR 150 front panel is simple to navigate. A back-lit LCD display provides status, parameter settings, and shift register data. A color-coded toggle switch selects setup or operate modes. The LOCAL/REMOTE switch swaps between front-panel manual operation and remote control via a network. The four-key, single-row keypad provides parameter entry and acquisition mode control, color coded to key to the position of the set/operate switch. The rotary "adjust" knob allows simple entry of parameter values, such as count time, time of year, pre-delay, and high-voltage settings. Seven LED indicators provide instrument status information. The PCMCIA slot allows data to be taken away on a flash memory card.

Operating the AMSR 150 Remotely
The AMSR 150 provides for Ethernet and serial connections into a network for unattended and integrated Safeguards monitoring. It supports operation in conjunction with the Los Alamos Multi-Instrument Collect (MIC) software. Encryption and authentication software can be embedded into the module to provide data security. Data is also internally buffered and if network communication fails, then data from multiple runs may be held within the AMSR 150 and sent to the host computer when the network connection is restored. Trigger signals for external sensors such as cameras for real-time monitoring can be generated by the AMSR 150, so that continuous network availability need not be assumed. An enhanced feature of the AMSR 150 is embedded physics algorithms that provide new capabilities, such as fast accidental sampling to decrease inspector measurement time and/or improving assay precision. If required, data may be stored on a PCMCIA memory card, which may be removed from the front panel by an inspector for further analysiss.

Remote Monitoring
The increasing trends towards remote monitoring within the Safeguards arena means that existing shift register designs are found wanting. In remote monitoring, a variety of Safeguards sensors and surveillance systems are integrated through a network where continuous collection of information from unattended measurement systems can be concentrated at a central server. Advanced plutonium monitoring in bulk nuclear material facilities, such as MOX fuel fabrication facilities, is being implemented based on rapid non-destructive assays from neutron instruments installed at key points throughout the plant. These instruments must provide continuous measurements that allow plutonium to be tracked and quantified. The capability to network unattended neutron instruments and provide continuous integrated monitoring information is vital. To take part in such a configuration, the remotely-deployed instrument must be capable of remote control and autonomous operation should the communications network become unavailable for some reason. AMSR 150 meets these needs.

The AMSR 150 Multiplicity Counting
AMSR 150 counts single, double, and triple coincidence to provide the maximum in flexibility in different measurement situations. The information may be provided with a timestamp for authentication purposes.

Multiplicity Counting
Plutonium in bulk form and plutonium present in waste generates neutrons from spontaneous fission events, from (a,n) reactions and induced fission events caused by primary neutrons. Neutron pair correlation provides the necessary information to determine the spontaneous fission rate and hence the mass of Pu present in a sample if the isotopic composition (relative ratio of Pu isotopes in the sample) is known. Then the ratio of the (a,n) reaction rate to the spontaneous fission neutron emission rate may be calculated. If neutron Multiplication may be neglected, then the detection probability, which depends on the self-shielding of the Pu in the matrix, may be eliminated. The experimental information required are the effective number of neutron singlets, and the effective number of correlated doublets, in order to solve for two unknowns. These may be obtained by the use of the conventional neutron coincidence counter or shift register.

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