Abstract
Neutron-induced fission cross sections of isotopes involved in the nuclear fuel cycle are vital for the design and safe operation of advanced nuclear systems. Such experimental data can also provide additional constraints for the adjustment of nuclear model parameters used in the evaluation process, resulting in the further development of fission models. In the present work, the 237Np(n,f) cross section was studied at the EAR2 vertical beam-line at CERN's n_TOF facility, over a wide range of neutron energies, from meV to MeV, using the time-of-flight technique and a set-up based on Micromegas detectors, in an attempt to provide accurate experimental data. Preliminary results in the 200 keV – 14 MeV neutron energy range as well as the experimental procedure, including a description of the facility and the data handling and analysis, will be presented.
Highlights
237Np is the most abundant minor actinide produced in current nuclear power plants
The neutroninduced fission cross section of 237Np has a high value and it is frequently used as a reference reaction in measurements on account of its low fission threshold and moderate activity
This importance is reflected in the High Priority Request List [1] in which the 237Np(n,f) cross section is included since 2015 with 2 − 3% target accuracies in the energy region between 200 keV and 20 MeV [2]
Summary
An efficient means to minimise its proliferation includes its use as nuclear fuel in fast reactors, further increasing the importance of 237Np(n,f) cross section studies In this respect about 50 measurements have been reported in the EXFOR database [4] since 1947, three of which were performed the last decade at n_TOF (Paradela et al [5] , Diakaki et al [6]) and at NCSR “Demokritos” (Diakaki et al [7, 8]) and were found to be 7% discrepant in the 1 − 5 MeV energy region. In an attempt to resolve the discrepancies, the 237Np(n,f) reaction was studied at the 19.5 m vertical flight path, referred to as EAR2, at the n_TOF facility at CERN, in the energy regime between 200 keV and 14 MeV
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