Applications of the absorption-edge densitometry NDA technique to solutions and solids

Absorption-edge densitometry is a matrix independent, nondestructive assay (NDA) technique that is being developed to measure special nuclear materials (SNM) in a variety of chemical compositions. In addition to being well suited for use in assaying SNM in solution, this technique is proving applicable to various solids including plutonium-bearing ash and MTR fuel bundles. Accuracies of 0.5 to 1 percent are easily attainable for SNM concentrations 0.04 less than or equal to rho x less than or equal to 0.400 g/cm/sup 2/. The application of absorption-edge densitometry to the NDA of SNM in a variety of material types is reviewed briefly.