The initial phase of Plutonium-238 (Pu-238) production for radioisotope thermal generation is described here in detail. Two dosimeters with/without cadmium sleeve containing Neptunium-237 (Np-237) and other neutron sensors were inserted into the low power Advanced Test Reactor Critical (ATRC) for Pu-238 production testing. The gamma-ray energy measurements from Np-238, the short-lived intermediate product, confirmed that sizable amount of Pu-238 can be produced in the full power Advanced Test Reactor (ATR). The Pu-238 production determined from the irradiation experiment was in accord with the modelling predictions. Detailed studies of the Au/Cu sensors for thermal and epithermal flux analysis and their consistency for sensors in different locations, bare and in Cd-sleeve, provided confidence in the Pu-238 production data.

此处详细介绍了用于放射性同位素热生成的P238（Pu-238）生产的初始阶段。将两个装有/不带有装有Neptunium-237（Np-237）的镉套筒的剂量计和其他中子传感器插入到低功率高级测试反应堆临界（ATRC）中，以进行Pu-238生产测试。Np-238（短寿命的中间产物）的伽马射线能量测量结果证实，可以在全功率高级测试反应堆（ATR）中生产相当数量的Pu-238。根据辐照实验确定的Pu-238产量与模型预测一致。对用于热通量和超热通量分析的Au / Cu传感器的详细研究及其在裸露和Cd套筒中不同位置的传感器的一致性，为Pu-238生产数据提供了信心。