Formulation of data synthesis technique for Feynman-α method

Abstract

We intend to develop a subcritically monitor based on the Feynman-α method, which detects a change in the prompt neutron decay constant caused by a change in the reactivity of a system containing nuclear fuel materials. For the practical use of this method, quick data processing is necessary to facilitate a real time measurement and it needs to be applicable to a wide range of count rates in the neutron detector. The Feynman-α method, based on pulse counting, has a serious problem relating to the counting statistics, namely the count loss effect due to the dead time of counter itself and the following counting circuit. To eliminate the count loss effect, especially in a high count rate region, a quick correction technique should be established to ensure accurate measurement. As a candidate for this, we have developed the data-synthesis technique which processes synthesized data generated by adding multiple time-series data acquired by independent neutron detectors. The present paper provides the derivation of a formula for this data-synthesis technique and the result of a numerical examination on its applicability.