High Flux Level Reaction Rate Measurements

High flux level reaction rates are measured from the gamma-ray emission analysis of activated foils. These foils are analyzed nondestruc-tively to eliminate error due to dissolution, dilution, and/or chemical separation. Signal-to-noise enhancement is achieved through the exclusive use of lithium-drifted germanium detectors, always with high peak-to-Compton ratios and occasionally with active Compton suppression. The reduction of the gamma-ray spectral data to accurate reaction rates as performed in three independent laboratories is categorized to illustrate the areas of potential pitfalls and the diversity of approaches used in successfully avoiding them. The estimated absolute errors and the range of results among the laboratories have been reduced below the target value of ±10% (2σ) for nonfission foils and is approaching the target value of ±5% (2σ) for fission foils.