506 research outputs found
Pulse processing routines for neutron time-of-flight data
A pulse shape analysis framework is described, which was developed for
n_TOF-Phase3, the third phase in the operation of the n_TOF facility at CERN.
The most notable feature of this new framework is the adoption of generic pulse
shape analysis routines, characterized by a minimal number of explicit
assumptions about the nature of pulses. The aim of these routines is to be
applicable to a wide variety of detectors, thus facilitating the introduction
of the new detectors or types of detectors into the analysis framework. The
operational details of the routines are suited to the specific requirements of
particular detectors by adjusting the set of external input parameters. Pulse
recognition, baseline calculation and the pulse shape fitting procedure are
described. Special emphasis is put on their computational efficiency, since the
most basic implementations of these conceptually simple methods are often
computationally inefficient.Comment: 13 pages, 10 figures, 5 table
Observation of large scissors resonance strength in actinides
The orbital M1-scissors resonance (SR) has been measured for the first time
in the quasi-continuum of actinides. Particle-gamma coincidences are recorded
with deuteron and 3He induced reactions on 232Th. The residual nuclei
231,232,233Th and 232,233Pa show an unexpectedly strong integrated strength of
in the Egamma=1.0 - 3.5 MeV region. The increased
gamma-decay probability in actinides due to the SR is important for
cross-section calculations for future fuel cycles of fast nuclear reactors and
may also have impact on stellar nucleosynthesis.Comment: 5 pages and 4 figure
Scissors resonance in the quasi-continuum of Th, Pa and U isotopes
The gamma-ray strength function in the quasi-continuum has been measured for
231-233Th, 232,233Pa and 237-239U using the Oslo method. All eight nuclei show
a pronounced increase in gamma strength at omega_SR approx 2.4 MeV, which is
interpreted as the low-energy M1 scissors resonance (SR). The total strength is
found to be B_SR = 9-11 mu_N^2 when integrated over the 1 - 4 MeV gamma-energy
region. The SR displays a double-hump structure that is theoretically not
understood. Our results are compared with data from (gamma, gamma') experiments
and theoretical sum-rule estimates for a nuclear rigid-body moment of inertia.Comment: 11 pages, 9 figure
First Light Measurements of Capella with the Low Energy Transmission Grating Spectrometer aboard the Chandra X-ray Observatory
We present the first X-ray spectrum obtained by the Low Energy Transmission
Grating Spectrometer (LETGS) aboard the Chandra X-ray Observatory. The spectrum
is of Capella and covers a wavelength range of 5-175 A (2.5-0.07 keV). The
measured wavelength resolution, which is in good agreement with ground
calibration, is 0.06 A (FWHM). Although in-flight
calibration of the LETGS is in progress, the high spectral resolution and
unique wavelength coverage of the LETGS are well demonstrated by the results
from Capella, a coronal source rich in spectral emission lines. While the
primary purpose of this letter is to demonstrate the spectroscopic potential of
the LETGS, we also briefly present some preliminary astrophysical results. We
discuss plasma parameters derived from line ratios in narrow spectral bands,
such as the electron density diagnostics of the He-like triplets of carbon,
nitrogen, and oxygen, as well as resonance scattering of the strong Fe XVII
line at 15.014 A.Comment: 4 pages (ApJ letter LaTeX), 2 PostScript figures, accepted for
publication in ApJ Letters, 200
New developments in Micromegas Microbulk detectors
A new Micromegas manufacturing technique, based on kapton etching technology,
has been recently developed, improving the uniformity and stability of this
kind of readouts. Excellent energy resolutions have been obtained, reaching 11%
FWHM for the 5.9 keV photon peak of 55Fe source and 1.8% FWHM for the 5.5 MeV
alpha peak of the 241Am source. The new detector has other advantages like its
flexible structure, low material and high radio-purity. The two actual
approaches of this technique will be described and the features of these
readouts in argon-isobutane mixtures will be presented. Moreover, the low
material present in the amplification gap makes these detectors approximate the
Rose and Korff model for the avalanche amplification, which will be discussed
for the same type of mixtures. Finally, we will present several applications of
the microbulk technique.Comment: To be published in the Proceedings of the TIPP2011 conference
(Physics Procedia
Neutron cross-sections for advanced nuclear systems : The n-TOF project at CERN
© Owned by the authors, published by EDP Sciences, 2014 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly citedThe study of neutron-induced reactions is of high relevance in a wide variety of fields, ranging from stellar nucleosynthesis and fundamental nuclear physics to applications of nuclear technology. In nuclear energy, high accuracy neutron data are needed for the development of Generation IV fast reactors and accelerator driven systems, these last aimed specifically at nuclear waste incineration, as well as for research on innovative fuel cycles. In this context, a high luminosity Neutron Time Of Flight facility, n-TOF, is operating at CERN since more than a decade, with the aim of providing new, high accuracy and high resolution neutron cross-sections. Thanks to the features of the neutron beam, a rich experimental program relevant to nuclear technology has been carried out so far. The program will be further expanded in the near future, thanks in particular to a new high-flux experimental area, now under construction.Peer reviewedFinal Published versio
Present Status and Future Programs of the n_TOF Experiment
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial License 3.0, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any noncommercial medium, provided the original work is properly citedThe neutron time-of-flight facility n_TOF at CERN, Switzerland, operational since 2001, delivers neutrons using the Proton Synchrotron (PS) 20 GeV/c proton beam impinging on a lead spallation target. The facility combines a very high instantaneous neutron flux, an excellent time of flight resolution due to the distance between the experimental area and the production target (185 meters), a low intrinsic background and a wide range of neutron energies, from thermal to GeV neutrons. These characteristics provide a unique possibility to perform neutron-induced capture and fission cross-section measurements for applications in nuclear astrophysics and in nuclear reactor technology.The most relevant measurements performed up to now and foreseen for the future will be presented in this contribution. The overall efficiency of the experimental program and the range of possible measurements achievable with the construction of a second experimental area (EAR-2), vertically located 20 m on top of the n_TOF spallation target, might offer a substantial improvement in measurement sensitivities. A feasibility study of the possible realisation of the installation extension will be also presented
High-accuracy determination of the neutron flux in the new experimental area n_TOF-EAR2 at CERN
A new high flux experimental area has recently become operational at the n_TOF facility at CERN. This new measuring station, n_TOF-EAR2, is placed at the end of a vertical beam line at a distance of approximately 20m from the spallation target. The characterization of the neutron beam, in terms of flux, spatial profile and resolution function, is of crucial importance for the feasibility study and data analysis of all measurements to be performed in the new area. In this paper, the measurement of the neutron flux, performed with different solid-state and gaseous detection systems, and using three neutron-converting reactions considered standard in different energy regions is reported. The results of the various measurements have been combined, yielding an evaluated neutron energy distribution in a wide energy range, from 2meV to 100MeV, with an accuracy ranging from 2%, at low energy, to 6% in the high-energy region. In addition, an absolute normalization of the n_TOF-EAR2 neutron flux has been obtained by means of an activation measurement performed with 197Au foils in the beam.Peer reviewe
Measurement of the (90,91,92,93,94,96)Zr(n,gamma) and (139)La(n,gamma) cross sections at n_TOF
Open AccessNeutron capture cross sections of Zr and La isotopes have important implications in the field of nuclear astrophysics as well as in the nuclear technology. In particular the Zr isotopes play a key role for the determination of the neutron density in the He burning zone of the Red Giant star, while the (139)La is important to monitor the s-process abundances from Ba up to Ph. Zr is also largely used as structural materials of traditional and advanced nuclear reactors. The nuclear resonance parameters and the cross section of (90,91,92,93,94,96)Zr and (139)La have been measured at the n_TOF facility at CERN. Based on these data the capture resonance strength and the Maxwellian-averaged cross section were calculated
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