Reactor-Noise Studies with an On-Line Digital Computer

A method for determining the prompt neutron decay constant of a fast critical assembly by noise analysis has been developed. It uses a digital computer to do polarity crosscorrelation on the outputs of two scintillation detectors. For the first time, such a measurement has been made in a fast assembly at criticality with no intrinsic limitation on power level. Portions of the technique were adapted for a study of the dynamics of a digital reactor control scheme.