Accurate Neutron-Nucleus Reaction Measurement Instrument Research Articles

241Am Neutron Capture Cross Section Measurement using the NaI(Tl) spectrometer of the ANNRI beamline of J-PARC

ABSTRACT The neutron capture cross-section of 241Am was measured from 10 meV to about 500 keV using the NaI(Tl) spectrometer of the Accurate Neutron-Nucleus Reaction Measurement Instrument (ANNRI) beamline in the Materials and Life Science Experimental Facility (MLF) of the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex (J-PARC). The total energy detection principle was applied in conjunction with the pulse-height weighting technique to derive the neutron capture yield. The present cross-section results were normalized using a 197Au sample measurement by applying the saturated resonance method. The thermal cross section was measured to be 708 ± 22 b, in agreement with the evaluation in JENDL-5 of 709 b within uncertainties. In the keV region, the evaluated libraries of JENDL-5, ENDF/B-VIII.0 and JEFF-3.3 are in good agreement with the present results over 10 keV but show values lower by 30% to 70% below that energy. Moreover, the results of a resonance shape analysis of the resolved resonance region are also provided in the present paper.

Neutron Capture Cross Section Measurement and Resonance Analysis of 107Pd Using ANNRI at MLF/J-PARC

The neutron capture cross sections of 107Pd were measured using the Accurate Neutron-Nucleus Reaction Measurement Instrument (ANNRI) at the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex (J-PARC). Capture γ-rays were detected with a NaI(Tl) spectrometer. The incident neutron energy was determined by the time-of-flight method. The preliminary cross section was derived from thermal to resonance energy region. In the resonance region, resonance parameters were derived by resonance analysis using REFIT code. The resonance parameter was close to the value of JENDL-4.0.

Measurements of the Neutron Capture Cross Section of Am-243 with the ANNRI beamline, MLF/J-PARC

The neutron capture cross section of 243Am from thermal to 100 keV was measured using the Accurate Neutron-Nucleus Reaction Measurement Instrument (ANNRI) at the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex (J-PARC). The time-of-flight (TOF) method using a NaI(Tl) detector was employed in these measurements and the pulse-height weighting technique was used to derive the neutron capture yield. The preliminary cross section was determined by normalizing the results to JENDL-4.0 cross section data at the third resonance of 243Am. In the thermal energy, the preliminary result is in good agreement with the two latest experimental data measured by the TOF and the activation methods but higher than the evaluated values in JENDL-5.

Uncertainty estimation in neutron TOF measurements with ANNRI

To improve data accuracy of neutron-capture and total cross sections of minor actinides and long-lived fission products, the time-of-flight experimental instrument named ”Accurate Neutron-Nucleus Reaction measurement Instrument” was constructed, and neutron time-of-flight experiments have been performed with an intense pulsed-neutron beam at MLF in J-PARC. Detailed analysis methods and deduced uncertainties for capture and total cross-section measurements are presented using an example of the experiments of 243Am. The deduced uncertainties are categorized into five types.

Neutron Filtering System for Neutron Capture Cross Section Measurement at the ANNRI beamline of MLF/J-PARC

A neutron filtering system has been designed and implemented in the Accurate Neutron-Nucleus Reaction Measurement Instrument (ANNRI) beamline in the Materials and Life Science (MLF) facility of the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex (J-PARC) to bypass the effect of the double-bunch mode of JPARC by molding the incident neutron flux into quasi-monoenergetic neutron beams. Filter assemblies using Fe, Si and Cr as filter materials were analyzed by means of experimental analysis, together with Monte Carlo simulations. The characteristics of the filtered neutron beam are presented and discussed alongside its viability in future applications for neutron cross-section measurements in the keV neutron region.

241Am Neutron Capture Cross Section in the keV region using Si and Fe-filtered neutron beams

ABSTRACT The neutron capture cross-section of 241Am was measured in the keV neutron range using the recently implemented neutron filtering system of the Accurate Neutron-Nucleus Reaction Measurement Instrument (ANNRI) beamline in the materials and life science (MLF) facility of the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex (J-PARC). Filter arrays consisting of 20 cm of nat Fe and nat Si were employed in separate measurements to provide filtered neutron beams with averaged neutron energies of 23.5 (Fe), 51.5 and 127.7 (Si) keV. The present 241Am results were obtained relative to the 197Au neutron capture yield by applying the total energy detection principle together with the pulse-height weighting technique. The 241Am neutron capture cross-section was determined as 2.72(29) b at 23.5 keV, 2.14(26) b at 51.5 keV and 1.32(10) b at 127.7 keV with total uncertainties in the range of 8 to 12%, much lower in comparison to the latest time-of-flight experimental data available.

Development of a neutron beam monitor with a thin plastic scintillator for nuclear data measurement using spallation neutron source

ABSTRACT A neutron monitoring detection system was developed for neutron capture cross-section measurement using a spallation neutron source. A combination of a plastic scintillator and a thin 6 LiF foil was adopted for the detector. The detector system was tested to study the feasibility of the system. Neutron irradiation experiments were conducted with the Accurate Neutron-Nucleus Reaction Measurement Instrument in the Materials and Life Science facility of the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex. A neutron time-of-flight spectrum was successfully measured without significant count loss or detector paralysis.

KeV-neutron capture cross-section measurement of 197Au with a Cr-filtered neutron beam at the ANNRI beamline of MLF/J-PARC

ABSTRACT Cr-filtered keV-neutron experiments were performed in the Accurate Neutron-Nucleus Reaction Measurement Instrument (ANNRI) beamline in the Materials and Life Science (MLF) facility of the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex (J-PARC) to measure the neutron capture cross-section of 197Au. The energy range of the neutron filtering system at ANNRI was extended through the use of 15 cm of nat Cr as filter material to tailor quasi-monochromatic neutron peaks with averaged neutron energies of 133.4 and 45.0 keV. The performance of the nat Cr filter assembly was evaluated by means of experimental capture and transmission analyses, together with the use of Monte-Carlo simulations. The present 197Au neutron capture cross-section results provide agreement within uncertainties with the JENDL-4.0 evaluated library and the IAEA standard data library further demonstrating the capabilities of the neutron filtering system at ANNRI.

Neutron capture and total cross-section measurements and resonance parameter analysis of niobium-93 below 400 eV

ABSTRACT Neutron capture yields and transmission ratios of 93Nb were measured by applying the time-of-flight method using the Accurate Neutron-Nucleus Reaction measurement Instrument of the Materials and Life Science Experimental Facility at the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex. Nb metal foils were used as samples. Germanium gamma-ray and Li-glass neutron detectors were used for capture yields and transmission ratio measurements, respectively. The pulse height weighting technique was applied to deduce the capture cross-sections from 0.01 to 400 eV, and the thermal-neutron capture cross-section was determined to be 0.97 ± 0.11 b. The total cross-sections were derived from transmission ratios ranging from 0.2 to 400 eV. The resonance parameters of 93Nb below 400 eV were determined based on the obtained capture cross-sections and transmission ratios using the resonance analysis code, REFIT, and compared with the parameters given by past measurements and the evaluated nuclear data library, JENDL-4.0.

KeV-region analysis of the neutron capture cross-section of 237Np

ABSTRACT Neutron capture cross-section measurements for Np have been conducted with the Accurate Neutron Nucleus Reaction Measurement Instrument (ANNRI) at the Materials and Life Science Facility (MLF) of the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex (J-PARC) using neutrons with energy ranging from thermal energy to 1 MeV. A time-of-flight (TOF) method using a NaI(Tl) detector was employed and the data were analyzed based on the pulse-height weighting technique in order to derive the neutron capture cross-section. The absolute capture cross-section was determined using the first resonance from JENDL-4.0 together with the total neutron flux derived from a Au sample measurement in which the first resonance was completely saturated. Both normalization techniques present agreement within 1. The present results are also compared evaluated data libraries. There is a discrepancy of 10–25 discrepancy from 0.5 to 20 keV with JENDL-4.0. Nonetheless, above this energy JENDL-4.0 seems to reproduce the present data better as the results agree within uncertainties up to 500 keV. The cross-section results contain uncertainties below 4 from 0.5 to 30 keV. However, the total uncertainty increases to over 8 above 30 keV. Along with the cross-section measurement, theoretical calculations with the CCONE code were performed to reproduce the present results.

Neutron beam filter system for fast neutron cross-section measurement at the ANNRI beamline of MLF/J-PARC

A neutron filtering system has been introduced in the Accurate Neutron–Nucleus Reaction Measurement Instrument (ANNRI) beamline in the Materials and Life Science (MLF) facility of the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex (J-PARC) in order to produce quasi-monoenergetic neutron beams. The filtered neutron spectrum by the filter assemblies was analyzed by means of capture and transmission measurements and also by Monte Carlo simulations using PHITS. The characteristics of the filtered neutron beam are discussed alongside its viability in future applications for neutron cross-section measurements in the fast neutron region.

Neutron capture cross sections of curium isotopes measured with ANNRI at J-PARC

ABSTRACT The neutron capture cross sections of and were measured for the neutron energy range of 1–1000 eV via the neutron time-of-flight method with Accurate Neutron-Nucleus Reaction measurement Instrument (ANNRI) at Materials and Life Science Experimental Facility (MLF) of the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex (J-PARC). The world’s most intense neutron pulses from the Japan Spallation Neutron Source (JSNS) enable the accurate measurement of neutron capture cross sections. Besides, single-bunched neutron pulses allow the analysis in a higher neutron energy region than the previous measurement at ANNRI. The resonance analyses were performed up to 1000 eV by using a resonance shape analysis code REFIT. The spectra of prompt gamma-rays from neutron capture reactions of and were also obtained, and 43 and 10 prompt gamma-ray peaks from () and () reactions were newly observed, respectively.

MEASUREMENT, EVALUATION AND VALIDATION OF MOLYBDENUM CROSS SECTIONS

Available nuclear data for molybdenum included in the nuclear data libraries are not of sufficient quality for reactor physics or criticality safety issues and indeed information about uncertainties and covariance is either missing or leaves much to be desired. Therefore, IRSN and JAEA performed experimental measurements on molybdenum at the J-PARC (Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex) facility in Japan. The aim was to measure capture cross section and transmission of natural molybdenum at the ANNRI (Accurate Neutron-Nucleus Reaction measurement Instrument) in the MLF (Material Life and science Facility) of J-PARC. The measurements were performed on metallic natural molybdenum samples with various thicknesses. A NaI detector, placed at a flight-path length of about 28 m, was used for capture measurements and a Li-glass detector (flight-path length of about 28.7 m) for transmission measurements. Following the data reduction process, the measured data are being analyzed and evaluated to produce more accurate cross sections and associated uncertainties.

Measurement of the neutron capture cross-section of 237Np using ANNRI at MLF/J-PARC

The neutron capture-cross section of 237Np was measured using the Accurate Neutron-Nucleus Reaction Measurement Instrument (ANNRI) with special emphasis in the region of interest for the core design of Accelerator-Driven Systems (ADS), from 0.5 to 500 keV. A neutron time-of-flight method was employed using the NaI(Tl) spectrometer in the ANNRI beamline at the Japanese Proton Accelerator Research Complex (J-PARC) together with the pulse-height weighting technique. The cross-section was determined by normalizing the results to JENDL-4.0 cross-section data at the first resonance of 237Np. In the 0.5 to 500 keV range, the present preliminary results present better agreement with previous experiments of Weston et al [3]. Experimental data from Esch et al [6] is about 15% lower than the present results. In comparision with evaluated data, ENDF/B-VIII.0 offers better agreement from 0.5 to 10 keV than with JENDL-4.0. From 0.5 to 10 keV JENDL-4.0 underestimates the present results by 10-15%. Nontheless, over 10 keV energy JENDL-4.0 shows good agreement up to 500 keV. The present preliminary cross-section has uncertainties of about 5% from 0.5 to 35 keV, a value lower than the uncertainties present in JENDL-4.0 of 6-10%. However, over 35 keV the total uncertainties steadily increase and amount to 10% at 500 keV.

Neutron capture and total cross-section measurements of 155Gd and 157Gd at ANNRI in J-PARC

Neutron capture and total cross sections of 155Gd and 157Gd were measured with the neutron time-of-flight method in Accurate Neutron-Nucleus Reaction measurement Instrument at Material and Life Science Experimental Facility of the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex using the NaI (Tl) spectrometer and Li-glass detectors. Preliminary cross sections were obtained in the neutron energy region from 4 meV to 100 meV. The derived cross sections agree with evaluated values in JENDL 4.0 and the experimental results by Mastromarco but were not consistent with those by Leinweber.

Developments of a new data acquisition system at ANNRI

A new data acquisition system (DAQ system) has been developed at the Accurate Neutron-Nucleus Reaction Measurement Instrument (ANNRI) facility in the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex, Materials and Life Science Experimental Facility (J-PARC/MLF). DAQ systems for both the Ge detector system and the Li-glass detector system were tested by using a gold sample. The applicability of the time-of-flight method was checked. System performance was evaluated on the basis of digital conversion nonlinearity, energy resolution, multi-channel coincidence and dead time.

Application of modified REFIT code for J-PARC/MLF to evaluation of neutron capture cross section on 155,157Gd

In order to analyze the experimental data measured by the Accurate Neutron-Nucleus Reaction Measurement Instrument (ANNRI) at the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex/Materials and Life Science Experimental Facility (J-PARC/MLF), it is necessary to take into account the double-bunch structure of the neutron pulse and the energy resolution function for the operational condition of the J-PARC/MLF. The modified REFIT code has been developed to treat the double-bunch neutron pulse and the energy resolution function for J-PARC/MLF. In this study, we applied the modified REFIT code to analyze the new data of the neutron capture cross section of 155 Gd and 157 Gd recently measured by ANNRI in the J-PARC/MLF, and obtained the resonance parameters of two Gd isotopes. We discussed the differences between the our obtained results and the other libraries.

Measurement of the neutron capture cross section of 99Tc using ANNRI at J-PARC

The neutron capture cross section of 99 Tc was measured using NaI(Tl) detectors of the Accurate Neutron-Nucleus Reaction Measurement Instrument (ANNRI) at the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex (J-PARC) in the energy range from thermal to the keV energy region. Preliminary results were presented and compared with previous measurements and evaluations.

Current activities and future plans for nuclear data measurements at J-PARC

In order to improve the data accuracy of neutron-capture cross-sections of minor actinides (MAs) and long-lived fission products (LLFPs), a new experimental instrument named “Accurate Neutron-Nucleus Reaction measurement Instrument” (ANNRI) has been constructed in the Materials and Life science experimental Facility (MLF) at the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex (J-PARC), and measurements of neutron-capture cross-sections of MAs, LLFPs and some stable isotopes with high-intensity pulsed neutrons have been started. The analyses for 244Cm, 246Cm, 241Am and 237Np were finished; those for 129I, 107Pd, 99Tc , 93Zr and some stable isotopes are in progress. These results will give significant contributions in the field of developing innovative nuclear systems.

Accurate Neutron-nucleus Reaction Measurement Instrument ANNRI

Accurate Neutron-nucleus Reaction Measurement Instrument ANNRI