Investigation of the 238U(d, p) surrogate reaction via the simultaneous measurement of γ -decay and fission probabilities

We investigated the 238U(d,p) reaction as a surrogate for the n + 238U reaction. For this purpose we measured for the first time the γ -decay and fission probabilities of 239U∗ simultaneously and compared them to the corresponding neutron-induced data. We present the details of the procedure to infer the decay probabilities, as well as a thorough uncertainty analysis, including parameter correlations. Calculations based on the continuumdiscretized coupled-channels method and the distorted-wave Born approximation (DWBA) were used to correct our data from detected protons originating from elastic and inelastic deuteron breakup. In the region where fission and γ emission compete, the corrected fission probability is in agreement with neutron-induced data, whereas the γ -decay probability is much higher than the neutron-induced data. We have performed calculations of the decay probabilities with the statistical model and of the average angular momentum populated in the 238U(d,p) reaction with the DWBA to interpret these resultsComisión Europea 26949

A compact fission detector for fission-tagging neutron capture experiments with radioactive fissile isotopes

In the measurement of neutron capture cross-sections of fissile isotopes, the fission channel is a source of background which can be removed efficiently using the so-called fission-tagging or fission-veto technique. For this purpose a new compact and fast fission chamber has been developed. The design criteria and technical description of the chamber are given within the context of a measurement of the 233U(n, ) cross-section at the n_TOF facility at CERN, where it was coupled to the n_TOF Total Absorption Calorimeter. For this measurement the fission detector was optimized for time resolution, minimization of material in the neutron beam and for alpha-fission discrimination. The performance of the fission chamber and its application as a fission tagging detector are discussed.French NEEDS/NACRE ProjectEuropean Commission within HORIZON2020 via the EURATOM Project EUFRA

A compact fission detector for fission-tagging neutron capture experiments with radioactive fissile isotopes

© 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).In the measurement of neutron capture cross-sections of fissile isotopes, the fission channel is a source of background which can be removed efficiently using the so-called fission-tagging or fission-veto technique. For this purpose a new compact and fast fission chamber has been developed. The design criteria and technical description of the chamber are given within the context of a measurement of the 233U(n, γ) cross-section at the n_TOF facility at CERN, where it was coupled to the n_TOF Total Absorption Calorimeter. For this measurement the fission detector was optimized for time resolution, minimization of material in the neutron beam and for alpha-fission discrimination. The performance of the fission chamber and its application as a fission tagging detector are discussed.Peer reviewe

Development of a gaseous proton-recoil detector for fission cross section measurements below 1 MeV neutron energy

The elastic H(n,p) reaction is sometimes used to measure neutron flux, in order to produce high precision measurements. The use of this technique is not straightforward to use below incident neutron energy of 1 MeV, due to a high background in the detected proton spectrum. Experiments have been carried out at the AIFIRA facility to investigate such background and determine its origin and components. Based on these investigations, a gaseous proton-recoil detector has been designed, with a reduced low energy background

Development of a gaseous proton-recoil detector for fission cross section measurements below 1 MeV neutron energy

The elastic H(n,p) reaction is sometimes used to measure neutron flux, in order to produce high precision measurements. The use of this technique is not straightforward to use below incident neutron energy of 1 MeV, due to a high background in the detected proton spectrum. Experiments have been carried out at the AIFIRA facility to investigate such background and determine its origin and components. Based on these investigations, a gaseous proton-recoil detector has been designed, with a reduced low energy background

Systematic investigation of background sources in neutron flux measurements with a proton-recoil silicon detector

International audienceProton-recoil detectors (PRDs), based on the well known standard H(n,p) elastic scattering cross section, are the preferred instruments to perform precise quasi-absolute neutron flux measurements above 1 MeV. The limitations of using a single silicon detector as PRD at a continuous neutron beam facility are investigated, with the aim of extending such measurements to neutron energies below 1 MeV. This requires a systematic investigation of the background sources affecting the neutron flux measurement. Experiments have been carried out at the AIFIRA facility to identify these sources. A study on the role of the silicon detector thickness on the background is presented and an energy limit on the use of a single silicon detector to achieve a neutron flux precision better than 1% is given

The DEMAIN project: an academic research center on nuclear dismantling and decommissioning

International audienc

Development of a Gaseous Proton-Recoil Detector for neutron flux measurements between 0.2 and 2 MeV neutron energy

Absolute measurements of neutron fluence are an essential prerequisite of neutron-induced cross section measurements, dosimetric investigations and neutron beam lines characterisation. Independent and precise neutron flux measurements can be performed with respect to the H(n,p) elastic cross section. However, the use of silicon proton recoil detectors is not straightforward below incident neutron energy of 1 MeV, due to a high background in the detected proton spectrum. A new gaseous proton-recoil detector has been designed to answer the challenge. The detector is described in details and results of the commissioning tests are presented