Developments in capture-γlibraries for nonproliferation applications

A M Hurst ,M Krtička,A Ureche,Zs Révay,F Bečvář,B Detwiler,John W Mcclory ,D A Matters ,Christoph Genreith ,B L Goldblum ,Stephen R Mchale ,B Sleaford ,Jutta Escher ,T Belgya,R B Firestone ,László Szentmiklósi ,J Vujic,D L Bleuel ,M S Basunia ,Andrew G Lerch ,L A Bernstein ,Danyal J Turkoglu ,J J Carroll

doi:10.1051/epjconf/201714609008

Abstract

The neutron-capture reaction is fundamental for identifying and analyzing the γ-ray spectrum from an unknown assembly because it provides unambiguous information on the neutron-absorbing isotopes. Nondestructive-assay applications may exploit this phenomenon passively, for example, in the presence of spontaneous-fission neutrons, or actively where an external neutron source is used as a probe. There are known gaps in the Evaluated Nuclear Data File libraries corresponding to neutron-capture γ-ray data that otherwise limit transport-modeling applications. In this work, we describe how new thermal neutron-capture data are being used to improve information in the neutron-data libraries for isotopes relevant to nonproliferation applications. We address this problem by providing new experimentally-deduced partial and total neutron-capture reaction cross sections and then evaluate these data by comparison with statistical-model calculations.

Highlights

IntroductionThe principal aim of the capture-γ project is to add new γ -ray spectroscopic data (high-resolution HPGequality data) to the Evaluated Nuclear Data File (ENDF) [1] libraries for several high-priority isotopes [2] that will enhance transport-modeling applications
The principal aim of the capture-γ project is to add new γ -ray spectroscopic data to the Evaluated Nuclear Data File (ENDF) [1] libraries for several high-priority isotopes [2] that will enhance transport-modeling applications. This project leverages heavily upon an existing atlas of data and targeted new capture-γ measurements at reactor facilities that were initiated as an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Coordinated Research Project (CRP) and led to the development of the Evaluated Gamma-ray Activation File (EGAF) [3]
Because of the inherent synergy between different libraries in the nuclear data pipeline, any improvements to the Evaluated Nuclear Structure Data File (ENSDF) database will be reformatted into the Reference Input Parameter Library (RIPL) [29], a derived database that provides the source decay-scheme information for ENDF

Summary

Introduction

The principal aim of the capture-γ project is to add new γ -ray spectroscopic data (high-resolution HPGequality data) to the Evaluated Nuclear Data File (ENDF) [1] libraries for several high-priority isotopes [2] that will enhance transport-modeling applications. This project leverages heavily upon an existing atlas of data and targeted new capture-γ measurements at reactor facilities that were initiated as an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Coordinated Research Project (CRP) and led to the development of the Evaluated Gamma-ray Activation File (EGAF) [3]. This project leverages heavily upon an existing atlas of data and targeted new capture-γ measurements at reactor facilities that were initiated as an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Coordinated Research Project (CRP) and led to the development of the Evaluated Gamma-ray Activation File (EGAF) [3]. counts

Objectives

Methods

Conclusion