Gamma Spectroscopy of 235U and 234mPa

Measurement of the gamma ray energies and intensities of ²³⁵U and ^234mPa enable those in Safeguards and Security to accurately identify and quantify amounts of ²³⁵U and ²³⁸U. The most intense gamma ray lines in ²³⁵U, ²³⁸U, ²³⁴Th and ²³⁴Pa are all less then 290 keV. Without knowing the conditions of a measurement, we could measure these gamma ray lines and intensities inaccurately, leading to an incorrect identification of an isotope and its quantity. Two separate experiments were performed to measure the intensities of the gamma rays with energies greater then 290 keV in ²³⁵U and ^234mPa. Higher energy gamma rays are attenuated less by their environment, making accurate identifications probable.