Measurement of (n,xngamma) Reactions of Interest for the New Nuclear Reactors

The design of Generation IV nuclear reactors and the research of new fuel cycles require knowledge of cross sections of different nuclear reactions. Our research is focused on cross section measurements of (n,xngamma) reactions occurring in these new reactors. The aim is to measure unknown cross sections and to reduce uncertainty on present data relative to reactions and isotopes present in transmutation or regeneration processes. The current work consists of studying 232Th(n,n'gamma) and 235U(n,xngamma) reactions in the fast neutron energy domain (up to 20 MeV). The experiments are performed at GELINA which delivers a pulsed, white neutron beam at IRMM, Belgium. The time characteristics of the beam enable us to measure neutron energies with the time of flight (TOF) technique. The neutron induced reactions (in this case inelastic scattering and (n,2n) reactions) are identified by online prompt gamma spectroscopy with an experimental setup including 4 HPGe detectors. A double layered fission chamber is used to monitor the incident neutron flux. The experimental setup and analysis methods will be presented and a comparison between the obtained cross sections and the TALYS predictions will be discussed. This work is a first step in the preparation of the measurement of 233U(n,xngamma) reactions, which are completely unknown at this stage although of very high importance in the 232Th regeneration process.

THIRY J.C.;  BORCEA Catalin;  DESSAGNE Philippe;  DROHE Jean Claude;  JERICHA E.;  KARAM H.;  KERVENO M.;  KONING A.J.;  NEGRET Alexandru;  PAVLIK A.;  PLOMPEN Arjan;  ROUKI Chariklia;  RUDOLF G.;  STANOIU Mihai; 

2011-08-25

KOREAN PHYSICAL SOC

JRC58671

0374-4884,   

https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC58671,   

10.3938/jkps.59.1880,