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DTRA’s advancements in nuclear and radiological detection
A new, more complex nuclear age has begun. Echoing the tensions of the Cold War amid rapidly evolving nuclear and radiological threats, preparedness in the modern age is a contest of scientific innovation. The Research and Development Directorate (RD) at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) is charged with winning this contest.
John C. Lee
Nuclear Science and Engineering | Volume 54 | Number 2 | June 1974 | Pages 206-214
Technical Note | doi.org/10.13182/NSE74-A23410
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Application of a θ-difference technique to the finite-difference solution of xenon-induced spatial transients has been made, which shows a substantial improvement in the accuracy of the calculated stability index and oscillation period. Virtually no correction is necessary for time-step lengths up to two hours, so an accurate simulation of experimental tests can be performed explicitly in the time domain with fairly crude time-step lengths. A simple expression was obtained for the optimum value of the parameter, θ, that can minimize the calculational error for a broad range of the core stability. The method is expected to be applicable for controlled xenon transients as well as for free-running oscillations.