Measurements of neutron total and capture cross sections of 241Am with ANNRI at J-PARC

Neutron total and capture cross sections of ²⁴¹Am have been measured with a new data acquisition system and a new neutron transmission measurement system installed in Accurate Neutron Nucleus Reaction measurement Instrument at Materials and Life Science Experimental Facility of Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex. The neutron total cross sections of ²⁴¹Am were determined by using a neutron time-of-flight (TOF) method in the neutron energy region from 4 meV to 2 eV. The thermal total cross section of ²⁴¹Am was derived with an uncertainty of 2.9%. A pulse-height weighting technique was applied to determine neutron capture yields of ²⁴¹Am. The neutron capture cross sections were determined by the TOF method in the neutron energy region from the thermal to 100 eV, and the thermal capture cross section was obtained with an uncertainty of 4.1%. The evaluation data of JENDL-4.0 and JEFF-3.2 were compared with the present results.     

Measurement and Analysis of Reactivity Worth of 241Am Sample in Water-Moderated Low-Enriched UO2 Fuel Lattices at TCA

The reactivity worths of 22.82 grams of ²⁴¹Am oxide sample were measured and theoretically analyzed in water-moderated UO2 fuel lattices in seven cores of the Tank-Type Critical Assembly (TCA) at the Japan Atomic Energy Agency for an integral test of ²⁴¹Am nuclear data. These cores provided a systematic variation in the neutron spectrum between the thermal and resonance energy regions. The sample reactivity worth was measured with an uncertainty of 2.1% or less. The theoretical analysis was performed using the JENDL-3.3 nuclear data by a Monte Carlo calculation method. Ratios of calculation to experiment (C/Es) of the reactivity worth were between 0.91 and 0.97, and showed no apparent dependence on the neutron spectrum. In addition, sensitivity analysis based on the deterministic calculation method was carried out to obtain the impact of changing the ²⁴¹Am capture cross section on the sample reactivity worth. The result of this analysis showed that the C/E could be significantly improved by almost uniformly increasing the ²⁴¹Am capture cross section of JENDL-3.3 by 25–30%.     

替代241Am低能光子源的准单色X射线机的研制

研究了用滤光片法产生50～60 keV的准单色X射线的条件,对输出的X射线进行了数种金属滤光片实验研究,选出合适的滤光片,通过实验对准直器的机械结构进行了确定。采用自行设计委托加工的X射线管、准直器和购买的高压电源,组装成符合实验要求的X射机。该装置输出了50～60 keV能量段的准单色光谱,在料位计上能替代²⁴¹Am低能光子源。     

EMPIRE计算30MeV以下~(238)U中子核反应数据

为进一步完善核数据评价手段,本文将EMPIRE应用到中子引起锕系核素的核反应模型分析中,根据中子核反应机制的特点,选取恰当的核反应模型及模型参数,以实验数据为基础对模型参数进行调整,由EMPIRE计算获得30 MeV以下能区n+238 U的核反应数据。从计算结果与实验数据以及各评价库数据对比来看,EMPIRE可得到较合理的结果。     

~(238)Np全套中子数据更新评价

裂变核全套中子评价数据为反应堆设计和安全运行、乏燃料次锕系核素嬗变、嬗变系统及高燃耗反应堆设计提供重要的基础数据。本文以一套全新的n+238 Np的中子光学模型势参数为基础进行理论分析,并根据Np各同位素反应截面系统变化规律,对模型势参数进行了调整,最后完成了全套中子数据的更新评价,与CENDL-3.1评价结果相比有较明显的改进。     

一台测量快中子辐射俘获截面的大液体闪烁探测器

为了测量快中子辐射俘获截面,我们研制了一台测量γ射线的球形液体闪烁探测器,其直径为1m,容积680 l。该探测器属4π几何类型,探测器效率达80%以上。为了降低本底,除了用10cm厚的铅和40cm厚的石蜡建成屏蔽室外,还采用符合方法,使本底计数小于100cps。探测器已经在2.5 МeV脉冲质子静电加速器上测量了金、钽和铥等元素的辐射俘获截面。     

A fast method for the determination of the efficiency coefficient of bare CR-39 detector

A fast and simple method for the determination of the efficiency coefficient (η) of bare CR-39 detector is presented and discussed. The efficiency coefficient of bare CR-39 detector is then calculated by different ways and the obtained values are found to be comparable to each other. The average value of η of bare CR-39 is found to be 0.20 ± 0.01 tracks cm⁻² day⁻¹ per Bq m⁻³.     

Thermal neutron cross section determination of short-to-medium lived nuclides using a 20 Ci Am–Be neutron source

While there are growing demands for the nuclear data at higher energy regions than keV for up-to-date scientific and technological development, accurate capture cross sections at thermal energy are still needed. The thermal neutron capture cross sections for the reactions ¹²⁷I(n,γ)¹²⁸I, ¹⁵²Sm(n,γ)¹⁵³Sm,¹⁵⁴Sm(n,γ)¹⁵⁵Sm, and ²³⁸U(n,γ)²³⁹U were determined by the method of foil activation using ⁵⁵Mn(n,γ)⁵⁶Mn as a reference reaction. The experimental samples with and without a Cd cover were irradiated in an isotropic neutron field of a 20 Ci ²⁴¹Am–Be neutron source facility. A high purity Ge detector was used to measure the induced gamma-rays from the samples and the monitor. The thermal neutron capture cross sections of the reactions ¹²⁷I(n,γ)¹²⁸I, ¹⁵²Sm(n,γ)¹⁵³Sm, ¹⁵⁴Sm(n,γ)¹⁵⁵Sm, and ²³⁸U(n,γ)²³⁹U were deduced from the analysis of obtained gamma-ray spectra. The thermal neutron capture cross section values for ¹²⁷I(n,γ)¹²⁸I, ¹⁵²Sm(n,γ)¹⁵³Sm, ¹⁵⁴Sm(n,γ)¹⁵⁵Sm, and ²³⁸U(n,γ)²³⁹U reactions are (5.93 ± 0.52), (207.3 ± 9.4), (7.7 ± 0.3), and (2.79 ± 0.09) barns respectively. The obtained results have been discussed and compared with the available experimental data and were found to be in agreement with each other.     

分子镀法制备厚镅(241,243Am)靶

研究了异丙醇-硝酸介质中镅(241,243Am)的分子镀过程和实验条件.在保持电压为550 V、电流密度为4～6 mA/cm2的条件下电镀1 h,通过一次分子镀过程就能在薄铝箔(厚度7 μm)衬底材料上制备出厚度为0.6～1.2 mg/cm2的241,243Am靶.     

Measurement and Analysis of Reactivity Worth of 237Np Sample in Cores of TCA and FCA

The reactivity worth of 22.87 grams of ²³⁷Np oxide sample was measured and analyzed in seven uranium cores in the Tank-Type Critical Assembly (TCA) and two uranium cores in the Fast Critical Assembly (FCA) at the Japan Atomic Energy Agency. The TCA cores provided a systematic variation in the neutron spectrum between the thermal and resonance energy regions. The FCA cores, XXI and XXV, provided a hard neutron spectrum of the fast reactor and a soft one of the resonance energy region, respectively. Analyses were carried out using the JENDL-3.3 nuclear data library with a Monte Carlo method for the TCA cores and a deterministic method for the FCA cores. The ratios of calculated to experimental (C/E) reactivity worth were between 0.97 and 0.91, and showed no apparent dependence on the neutron spectrum.     

γ全吸收型探测装置探测效率的实验与模拟

为精确测量keV能区中子俘获反应截面,中国原子能科学研究院核数据重点实验室基于中国散裂中子源反角白光中子源建成了国内首套γ全吸收型BaF₂探测装置。为获得重要的实验参数装置对γ射线的探测效率曲线,对单个BaF₂探测器模块能谱的测量数据与模拟结果进行比较。结果表明,测量¹³⁷Cs和⁶⁰Co源得到的实验结果与MCNP和GEANT4的模拟结果吻合较好,验证了模拟计算得到的探测效率曲线的可靠性,可用于中子俘获反应截面的在线测量。     

Reactor Neutron Capture Cross Section of 60.3-day 124Sb

The radioactive nuclides ¹²⁴Sb (T _1/2=60.3d) and ¹²⁵Sb (T_1/2=2.77yr) were produced from natural antimony by JRR-3 reactor irradiation of 283.5 h through the single and double capture processes. After cooling of 3.50 yr, the γ-ray spectrum of the antimony sample irradiated was measured by a 50 cc coaxial type Ge(Li) detector, and the photo-peak yield ratio of ¹²⁵Sb (E _r=428keV) to ¹²⁴Sb (E _r=1.691 MeV) was obtained. By using a relation between this photo-peak yield ratio and the ¹²⁴Sb (n, γ) ¹²⁶Sb cross section, the reactor neutron capture cross section of 60.3-day ¹²⁴Sb was obtained as 17.4:5:^+2.8 _?2.5b. The thermal neutron flux at the position of antimony sample irradiated was estimated as (4.92±0.38) ×10¹²n/cm²·s by measuring the 1.333-MeV photo-peak yield of ⁶⁰Co, which was activated by reactor irradiation of cobalt impurity contained in the antimony sample.     

~(71)Ga(n,γ)~(72)Ga和~(180)Hf(n,γ)~(181)Hf反应截面的测量与评价

为解决目前71 Ga(n,γ)72 Ga反应和180 Hf(n,γ)181 Hf反应截面实验数据的分歧,在中国原子能科学研究院的600kV高压倍加器和5SDH-2串列加速器上用活化法在0.5～3MeV能区内测量了这两个反应在4个能点的反应截面。并对国内外0.01～4MeV范围内的实验数据进行了修正和评价,最终给出了这两个反应在此能区范围内的推荐值。     

Emission Probabilities of Gamma Rays from the Decay of 233Pa and 238Np,and the Thermal Neutron Capture Cross Section of 237Np

In order to determine the thermal neutron capture cross section of ²³⁷Np, the relevant γ emission probabilities of the 312-keV γ-ray from the decay of ²³³Pa and the 984-keV γ-ray from the decay of ²³⁸Np are deduced from the ratio of the emission rate to the activity. The emission rate and activity are measured with a Ge detector and a Si detector, respectively. The measured emission probability for 312-keV γ-ray is 41.6±0.9% and that for 984-keV γ-ray is 25.2±0.5%. The emission probabilities are used to correct the thermal neutron capture cross section of ²³⁷Np reported previously, and gives 168±6b. The neutron capture cross section is also determined as 169±6b by α-ray spectroscopic method. The measured emission probabilities and capture cross section are compared with others from references. By averaging these values deduced by different methods, the value of 169±4b is recommended as the thermal neutron capture cross section of ²³⁷Np for 2,200 m/s neutrons.     

Neutron Capture Cross Section Measurement of Praseodymium in the Energy Region from 0.003 eV to 140 keV

The neutron capture cross section of praseodymium (¹⁴¹Pr) has been measured relative to the ¹⁰B(n,αγ) standard cross section in the energy region from 0.003 eV to 140 keV by the neutron time-of-flight (TOF) method with a 46-MeV electron linear accelerator (linac) of the Research Reactor Institute, Kyoto University (KURRI). An assembly of Bi₄Ge₃O₁₂ (BGO) scintillators was used for the capture cross section measurement. In addition, the thermal neutron cross section (2,200 m/s value) of the ¹⁴¹Pr(n, γ)¹⁴²Pr reaction has been also measured by an activation method at the heavy water thermal neutron facility of the Kyoto University Reactor (KUR). The thermal neutron flux was monitored with the ¹⁹⁷Au(n, γ)¹⁹⁸Au standard cross section. The above TOF measurement has been normalized to the current activation data (11.6±1.3 b) at 0.0253 eV.

The evaluated data in JENDL-3.3, ENDF/B-VI, and JEF-2.2 have been in general agreement with the current result, except that the JENDL-3.3 and the JEF-2.2 values are clearly lower than the measurement in the cross section minimum region from about 10 to 500 eV.     

Estimation of Covariance Matrices for Nuclear Data of 237Np, 241Am and 243Am

Covariance matrices were estimated for the fission and capture cross sections and the numbers of neutrons per fission of ²³⁷Np, ²⁴¹Am and ²⁴³Am given in JENDL-3.3. GMA and KALMAN codes were applied to estimate them for the fission and capture cross sections, respectively. In the low energy region, the errors of resonance parameters were given. The covariance matrices for the numbers of prompt neutrons per fission (V_p ) were evaluated by assuming a linear equation. For the delayed neutrons (v_d ), only their standard deviations were estimated. The results were compiled in the ENDF-6 format and merged with JENDL-3.3.