An optical counter is used in a method and system for producing a nuclear fuel element having a known volume of homogeneously distributed nuclear material. The method includes feeding nuclear fuel particles along a channel having a conveyer configured to transmit the nuclear fuel particles to an exit; driving the conveyer until a target number of nuclear fuel particles exits the channel through the exit; and counting a number of nuclear fuel particles which pass through the exit of the channel with an optical counter. The conveyer is stopped after the target number of nuclear fuel particles exits the channel. The target number of nuclear fuel particles are fed into a mold for shaping the nuclear fuel element, and void space remaining in the mold is filled with a particulate matrix material so as to homogeneously distribute the target number of nuclear fuel particles within the particulate matrix material. The particulate matrix material is then converted into a solid matrix material.