Validation of the EASY-2001 activation system

Abstract

The European activation system (EASY) is the complete package of data and codes developed as part of the European fusion technology programme to enable detailed and accurate activation calculations to be carried out for fusion applications. A central part of EASY is the European activation file library of 12 470 neutron-induced cross sections. A major effort to increase the accuracy and confidence in this library has been carried out by a process of validation with integral measurements. Experiments have been carried out in three complementary neutron spectra by irradiating a series of fusion relevant materials. These irradiations can then be modelled by EASY, and the comparison between the calculated (C) and experimental (E) activity values enable C/E ratios to be found for the production of a set of radionuclides. Examples of reactions that can be validated and of discrepant C/E values and the resulting data improvements are given. These studies demonstrate the high level of validation that gives EASY-2001 its status as a first-class activation code and data package.