FRAM™
FRAM™
FRAM (Fixed-Energy, Response Function Analysis with Multiple Efficiency) software is a code used primarily to determine the isotopic composition of plutonium in special nuclear materials.
Features
- Determines relative plutonium isotopic abundances or uranium isotopic abundances in non-destructive assay applications
- Uses spectra collected with HPGe detectors
- Incorporates a sophisticated peak fitting and multiplet deconvolution algorithm to analyze complex peak regions
- Requires no efficiency calibration for matrix density, thickness or container characteristics
- Developed by Los Alamos and licensed to Mirion
Description
FRAM (Fixed-Energy, Response Function Analysis with Multiple Efficiency) software is a code developed by Los Alamos to analyze pulse-height spectra generated by high-resolution gamma-ray detectors. It has been used primarily to determine the isotopic composition of plutonium in special nuclear materials. Its design and flexibility allow it to easily measure ratios and distributions of isotopes other than plutonium in arbitrary items.
In nuclear safeguards, FRAM software complements calorimetry and neutron coincidence counting by allowing measurements to be interpreted in terms of total plutonium mass.
Material Types Measured with FRAM Software
- 240Pu (2% – 95%) of total plutonium
- 241Pu – 237U (nonequilibrium)
- Am/Pu in heterogeneous combinations
- 241Am (0.01% to >50%)
- 235U/Pu mixed (MOX) ratios from 0.005 – 35
- 243Am – 239Np
- 244Cm
- 237Np
- 234U, 235U, 238U relative abundances, (no plutonium present), 0.2 to >97% 235U
- 238Pu (80%)
- Materials in shielded or heavy-walled containers (≥13 mm Pb for plutonium, ≥16 mm steel for uranium)
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