Abstract
The Device for Indirect Capture on Radionuclides (DICER) implements a new indirect technique for (n,γ) studies in which the neutron capture rate is determined from analysis of resonance neutron transmission data. The DICER instrument and associated radionuclide production at the Isotope Production Facility (IPF), both at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE), as well radioactive sample fabrication, have been under development in the last few years. First measurements on a radioactive sample (88Zr, t½=83.4 days), which was recently reported to have an extremely large thermal neutron capture cross section and resonance integral [1, 2], are planned for the winter of 2021. A performance overview, brief details on the 88Zr fabrication and proof of good operation results will be presented.
Highlights
The accurate quantification of radiative neutron capture cross sections is essential in various applications such as radiochemical diagnostics, nuclear forensics and nuclear astrophysics
The neutron beam delivered at Device for Indirect Capture on Radionuclides (DICER) is produced through spallation from Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE)’s 800 MeV proton beam, pulsed at 20 Hz[15]
The DICER approach relies on the synergy between two LANSCE facilities: the Manuel Lujan Jr. neutron scattering center and the Isotope Production Facility (IPF)[16, 17]
Summary
The accurate quantification of radiative neutron capture cross sections is essential in various applications such as radiochemical diagnostics, nuclear forensics and nuclear astrophysics. Total cross section measurements are less affected by the decay background due to the long sample-to-detector distances, which are typically of the order of tens of meters. There are resonances where the radiation width (Γγ) is not significantly smaller than Γn and at the same time other reaction channels are suppressed. In those cases, the Γγ can be calculated: Γ = Γn + Γγ. The instrument is designed to study small samples (tens of μg, 0.1-1 mm in diameter) with half-lives of the order of tens of days or higher and level spacings of the order of tens of eV or smaller
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