ANS is committed to advancing, fostering, and promoting the development and application of nuclear sciences and technologies to benefit society.
Explore the many uses for nuclear science and its impact on energy, the environment, healthcare, food, and more.
Explore membership for yourself or for your organization.
Conference Spotlight
2026 ANS Annual Conference
May 31–June 3, 2026
Denver, CO|Sheraton Denver
Latest Magazine Issues
Mar 2026
Jan 2026
Latest Journal Issues
Nuclear Science and Engineering
April 2026
Nuclear Technology
February 2026
Fusion Science and Technology
Latest News
Swiss nuclear power and the case for long-term operation
Designed for 40 years but built to last far longer, Switzerland’s nuclear power plants have all entered long-term operation. Yet age alone says little about safety or performance. Through continuous upgrades, strict regulatory oversight, and extensive aging management, the country’s reactors are being prepared for decades of continued operation, in line with international practice.
M. E. Anderson
Nuclear Technology | Volume 52 | Number 3 | March 1981 | Pages 428-430
Technical Note | Fission Reactor | doi.org/10.13182/NT81-A32717
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Neutron yields of 239Pu-Be(α,n) sources are increasing due to the buildup of 241 Am, an alpha emitter, from the beta decay of 241 Pu. The yields and heat outputs of four sources, in which PuBe13 was formed during fabrication, have been followed for several years. Rates of increase in neutron yields at t = 0 vary from 0.3 to 1.9%/yr for initial 241 Pu contents from 0.10 to 0.70%. For three of these sources the increase in neutron yield follows the radioactive decay of the constituents. For the fourth, the increase in neutron yield is greater than expected. A possible explanation is offered.