Some Neutron and Gamma Radiation Characteristics of Plutonium Cermet Fuel for Isotopic Power Sources.

Removing the dose background from radioactive sources from active dose rate measurements in the Lunar Lander Neutron & Dosimetry (LND) experiment on Chang'E 4

“…The reactions producing the gamma-ray background from the RTG/RHUs are similar to the those for the neutron background mentioned above and include (1) spontaneous fission of 238 Pu; (2) induced fission; (3) (α, nγ) reactions with light elements present in the RTG/RHUs, especially 17 O/ 18 O. In addition to these reactions, radioactive decay always produces gamma rays to allow the nucleus to de-excite [5]. The exact amount of the RTG and RHU's plutonium, as well as detailed information about its interior position and the shielding provided by the RTG and RHUs are, however, not known to us.…”