Measurement of flux distribution of an AmBe neutron source and estimation of two group integral capture cross-sections

Abstract

Neutron capture cross sections of elements are of utmost importance in reactor physics, dosimetry applications and stellar nucleosynthesis studies. Manipal Centre for Natural Sciences (MCNS) possesses a 16Ci AmBe neutron source, which is housed inside a concrete structure. The neutrons undergo multiple scattering events in the concrete structure and surrounding materials; therefore, the neutron flux profile is unique to this source and structural material, which differs from the standard ISO spectrum. Using this AmBe source, experiments are being conducted to understand the neutron energy distribution in two groups to measure capture cross sections of various isotopes. In the present work, gold has been used as a flux monitor, and the indium cross-section has been measured in two groups. These foils (Gold and Indium) are irradiated with and without cadmium cover to understand the neutron spectra in two spectral regions as cadmium cutoffs neutrons of energy below 0.5 eV. Irradiated samples were counted in High-Pure Germanium (HPGe) detector, and the γ-spectra obtained were used to get the epi‑cadmium (0.5 eV and above) to total ratio of ⟨σ(E)ϕ(E)⟩. The neutron flux is estimated in two groups corresponding to thermal (thermal energy neutron extended up to 0.5 eV) and epi‑cadmium regions, and also the flux-weighted capture cross sections of 115In are determined.