Design and preliminary Monte Carlo calculations of an active Compton-suppressed LaBr3(Ce) detector system for TRU assay in remote-handled wastes

Recent studies indicate LaBr3(Ce) scintillating detectors have desirable attributes, such as room temperature operability and excellent energy resolution, which may make them viable alternatives as primary detectors (PD) in a Compton suppression spectrometer (CSS) used for remote-handled transuranic (RH-TRU) waste assay. A CSS with a LaBr3(Ce) PD has been designed and its expected performance evaluated using Monte Carlo analysis. These results indicate that this detector will have a relatively high Compton-suppression capability, with greater suppression ability for large angle-scattered photons in the PD.