Abstract
Neutron-induced reaction measurements, e.g. cross-sections and particle emission yields, require samples, called "targets", with specific properties depending on the reaction being studied and the quantities being measured. The target characteristics influence the results of these measurements and can have a strong impact on the total uncertainty of neutron-induced reaction data, which are important for industry and in research. This paper gives an overview of the main techniques applied in the target preparation laboratory at JRC-Geel for production and characterization of targets for neutron-induced reaction data measurements. The use of different targets is demonstrated with a few examples of total and reaction cross-section as well as nuclear fission experiments. In addition, on-going investigations and technical developments are presented.
Highlights
High-quality and well-characterized samples, called "targets", are one of the pillars of nuclear data experiments together with the nuclear facilities, the data acquisition systems, and the theoretical and numerical data processing
The target substrate is as thin as reasonably possible, mechanically stable and should not undergo any nuclear reaction leading to products that interfere with the material under investigation
The data is generated by measurements at the two large-scale neutron facilities at the JRC-Geel. Both facilities rely on accelerators which provide charged particle beams that in turn produce neutrons through nuclear reactions
Summary
High-quality and well-characterized samples, called "targets", are one of the pillars of nuclear data experiments together with the nuclear facilities, the data acquisition systems, and the theoretical and numerical data processing. The data is generated by measurements at the two large-scale neutron facilities at the JRC-Geel Both facilities rely on accelerators which provide charged particle beams that in turn produce neutrons through nuclear reactions. Already from the 60's the CBNM (Central Bureau for Nuclear Measurements), renamed IRMM and later more recently JRC-Geel, was preparing targets for nuclear physicists who were measuring neutron-induced reaction cross-sections as recommended on the priority list of the EANDC (European-American Nuclear Data Committee) which was later reorganised to form the NEA (Nuclear Energy Agency) of the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) [3, 4]. This paper describes the main techniques applied nowadays in the target preparation laboratory at JRCGeel for the production and characterization of nuclear targets. The use of these targets is demonstrated with a few examples of neutron cross-section measurements. Ongoing investigations related to molecular plating, pellet compacting, e-beam evaporation, cleaning of glass plates for the production of polyimide foils and vacuum deposition parameters are presented
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