Hafnium Resonance Parameter Analysis Using Neutron Capture and Transmission Experiments

The focus of this work is to determine resonance parameters for stable hafnium isotopes in the 0.005-200 eV region, with special emphasis on the overlapping {sup 176}Hf and {sup 178}Hf resonances near 8 eV. The large neutron cross section of hafnium, combined with its corrosion resistance and excellent mechanical properties, make it a useful material for controlling nuclear reactions. Experiments measuring neutron capture and transmission were performed at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) electron linear accelerator (LINAC) using the time of flight method. {sup 6}Li glass scintillation detectors were used for transmission experiments at flight path lengths of 15 and 25 m. Capture experiments were done using a sixteen section NaI(Tl) multiplicity detector at a flight path length of 25 m. These experiments utilized various thicknesses of metallic and isotopically-enriched liquid samples. The liquid samples were designed to provide information on the {sup 176}Hf and {sup 178}Hf contributions to the 8 eV doublet without saturation. Data analysis was done using the R-matrix Bayesian code SAMMY version M6 beta. SAMMY is able to account for experimental resolution effects for each of the experimental setups at the RPI LINAC, and also can correct for multiple scattering effects in neutron capture yield data. The combined capture and transmission data analysis yielded resonance parameters for all hafnium isotopes from 0.005-200 eV. Resonance integrals were calculated along with errors for each hafnium isotope using the NJOY [1] and INTER [2] codes. The isotopic resonance integrals calculated were significantly different than previously published values; however the calculated elemental hafnium resonance integral changed very little

Low energy neutron physics research with a gamma multiplicity detector

A sixteen-segment NaI(Tl) multiplicity gamma ray detector is used at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Gaerttner LINAC Laboratory for neutron cross section measurements. This detector consists of an annulus of NaI(Tl) divided into two sets of 8 pie-shaped segments, each segment optically isolated and viewed by a photomultiplier. The neutron beam passes along the axis of the detector and impinges upon a sample placed in the center. Time-of-flight data are taken as a function of the number of sections which detect a gamma and which is defined as the detected multiplicity. This detector can simultaneously acquire a neutron scattering, capture and fission data by placing suitable limits on the total detected gamma ray energy deposited in the detector. Scattering and capture measurements have been performed on samples of holmium, erbium, and tungsten and experimental results are presented. The experimental multiplicity for capture is analyzed by assuming the single particle model, stochastically calculating the gamma ray cascades from neutron capture, and transporting each gamma ray into the detector using the Monte Carlo method. The detection efficiency for neutron capture is over 90% and is relatively insensitive to different isotopes of the same element or different spins of the compound nuclear resonances. A status report on experimental and analytical activities at the Laboratory is presented

Hafnium Resonance Parameter Analysis Using Neutron Capture and Transmission Experiments

The focus of this work is to determine the resonance parameters for stable hafnium isotopes in the 0.005 - 200 eV region, with special emphasis on the overlapping {sup 176}Hf and {sup 178}Hf resonances near 8 eV. Accurate hafnium cross sections and resonance parameters are needed in order to quantify the effects of hafnium found in zirconium, a metal commonly used in reactors. The accuracy of the cross sections and the corresponding resonance parameters used in current nuclear analysis tools are rapidly becoming the limiting factor in reducing the overall uncertainty on reactor physics calculations. Experiments measuring neutron capture and transmission are routinely performed at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) LINAC using the time-of flight technique. {sup 6}Li glass scintillation detectors were used for transmission experiments at flight path lengths of 15 and 25 m, respectively. Capture experiments were performed using a sixteen section NaI multiplicity detector at a flight path length of 25 m. These experiments utilized several thicknesses of metallic and isotope-enriched liquid Hf samples. The liquid Hf samples were designed to provide information on the {sup 176}Hf and {sup 178}Hf contributions to the 8 eV doublet without saturation. Data analyses were performed using the R-matrix Bayesian code SAMMY. A combined capture and transmission data analysis yielded resonance parameters for all hafnium isotopes from 0.005 - 200 eV. Additionally, resonance integrals were calculated, along with errors for each hafnium isotope, using the NJOY and INTER codes. The isotopic resonance integrals calculated were significantly different than previous values. The {sup 176}Hf resonance integral, based on this work, is approximately 73% higher than the ENDF/B-VI value. This is due primarily to the changes to resonance parameters in the 8 eV resonance, the neutron width presented in this work is more than twice that of the previous value. The calculated elemental hafnium resonance integral however, changed very little

Neutron total and capture cross section measurements and resonance parameter analysis of tungsten from 0.01 to 200 eV

Natural tungsten metal has been measured using neutron time-of-flight spectroscopy at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) Gaerttner LINAC Laboratory to improve the tungsten resonance parameters. Three separate types of measurements were performed; transmission, capture and self-indicating. Previous measurements did not employ all three experimental types and used less sophisticated analysis methods. It is the authors` conclusion that the current work improves on the published tungsten data base and reduces the resonance parameter uncertainties

Neutron cross section measurements of elemental molybdenum and resonance parameter analysis

The purpose of this work was to measure the neutron cross sections of molybdenum accurately. The Rensselaer Polytechnic (RPI) LINAC facility was used to measure the neutron interaction cross sections of molybdenum. Neutron capture time-of-flight measurements were made at 25 m with a sodium iodide multiplicity detector. Transmission measurements were performed at 25 m flight with a 6Li glass scintillation detector. Nine different thicknesses of elemental molybdenum metal samples ranging from 0.051 mm (0.002 in.) to 6.35 mm (0.250 in.) were measured in either capture or transmission. Data from two transmission and one capture measurement have been analyzed using the multilevel R-matrix Bayesian code SAMMY. Throughout the energy spectrum, 10-2000 eV, resonance widths have been attained. Between one and two keV, the width assignments of overlapping resonances were obtained and compared to ENDF/B-VII.0. ENDF/B-VII.0 nuclear radii fit the transmission data between resonances better than those of ENDF/B-VI.8. Below 600 eV, the inclusion of capture data in the fit enhanced our ability to determine radiation widths compared to using transmission data alone

High-accuracy filtered neutron beam and high-energy transmission measurements at the Gaerttner Laboratory

Recently a method for high accuracy total cross section measurement in the energy range of 24 keV to 940 keV using an iron filtered beam was developed at RPI. Measurements the total cross section of carbon and beryllium are discussed. A new neutron detection system was developed at RPI and the first measurement with this system is reported here

Neutron total and capture cross section measurements and resonance parameter analysis of tungsten from 0.01 eV to 200 eV

Natural tungsten metal was measured using neutron time-of-flight spectroscopy at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) Gaerttner Laboratory linear accelerator to determine the tungsten resonance parameters. Three separate measurements were performed: transmission, capture, and self-indication. Previous measurements did not employ all three experiment types and used less sophisticated methods. The current work improves on the published tungsten data base and reduces resonance parameter uncertainties