Neutron Emission Rates and Energy Spectra of Two238Pu Power Sources

• DOI: 10.13182/nt69-a28386
• Publication Date: 2017-08-11T15:09:54Z
• Authors: M. E. Anderson; R. A. Neff

Neutron emission rates and neutron spectra were determined for two 238Pu power sources: SNAP 27-1, a 1482-W plutonium dioxide source the Apollo Space Program, HP 15-2, 15.84-W metal Artificial Heart Program. The measurements made with single stilbene crystal fast-neutron spectrometer long counter. specific yields (2.2 ± 0.1) × 104 n/sec per gram of 27-1 (3.9 0.2) 103 15-2. Neutrons from these sources are due to spontaneous fission 238Pu, neutron-induced plutonium, (α, n) reactions. contributions neutrons each reactions shown. Factors converting fluence dose equivalent (whole body) calculated be (3.34 0.11) 10−5 mrem n/cm2 (3.13 0.15)