Measurement of neutron-to-γ-ray production ratios from (α,n) reactions for their application to assay TRU waste

We report on the measurement of neutron-to-γ-ray production ratios from (α,n) reactions for three matrices CaF2, Al2O3, and MgO using α-emitting 244Cm deposited in the respective matrix. These ratios allow the determination of neutron emission rates from (α,n) reactions on the target nuclides from γ-ray spectra. These measurements may be useful in correcting neutron singles counts of transuranic waste for the neutrons produced from α-reactions with the matrix materials.