Field Of Nuclear Data Research Articles

Karlsruhe Nuclide Chart – New 10th edition 2018

Obtaining nuclear data is an international activity with new and updated data constantly being determined by thousands of scientists at major research centres worldwide. Because of the large amounts of data generated and the formats used to store these data, the field of nuclear data is highly specialised. To make the most important key data more accessible to a wider audience, nuclide charts have been developed. In this article, we present the scientific highlights of the new 10th Edition of the Karlsruhe Nuclide Chart. The main focus of this Chart is to provide structured, accurate information on the half-lives and decay modes, as well as energies of the emitted radiation for over 4000 experimentally observed ground states and isomer nuclides to an interdisciplinary audience.

Converting ENDF libraries into relational format

The article considers the issues of converting the ENDF format systems of constants to relational databases. This conversion can become one of the tools facilitating the development and operation of factual information, techniques and algorithms in the field of nuclear data and, therefore, increasing the efficiency of the corresponding computational codes. The work briefly examines an infological model of ENDF libraries. The possible structure of tables of the corresponding relational database is described. The proposed database schema and the form of tables take into account the presence of both single and multiple properties of the isotopes under consideration. Consideration is given to the difference in organizational requirements for transferring constants from relational tables to programs and performing a visual analysis of data in tables by a physicist-evaluator. The conversion algorithms and results are described for the ROSFOND-A and ENDF/B-VII.1 libraries. It is shown that performing calculations directly in the DBMS environment has its advantages in terms of simplifying programming and eliminating the need to solve a number of problems on data verification and validation. Possible approaches are indicated to ensure operation of inherited software together with nuclear data libraries in the relational format. Some terminological refinements are proposed to facilitate constructing an infological model for ENDF format. The conversion programs and the ENDF/B-VII.1 library in the relational format are available on a public site.

Connecting the Dots, or Nuclear Data in the Age of Supercomputing

Recent increases in computing power have allowed for much progress to be made in the field of nuclear data. The advances listed below are each significant, but together bring the potential to completely change our perspective on the nuclear data evaluation process. The use of modern nuclear modeling codes like TALYS and the Monte Carlo sampling of its model parameter space, together with a code system developed at NRG Petten, which automates the production of ENDF-6 formatted files, their processing, and their use in nuclear reactor calculations, constitutes the Total Monte Carlo approach, which directly links physical model parameters with calculated integral observables like keff. Together with the Backward-Forward Monte Carlo method for weighting samples according their statistical likelihood, the Total Monte Carlo can be applied to complete isotopic chains in a consistent way, to simultaneously evaluate nuclear data and the associated uncertainties in the continuum region. Another improvement is found in the uses of microscopic models for nuclear reaction calculations. For example, making use of QRPA excited states calculated with the Gogny interaction to solve the long standing question of the origin of the ad hoc “pseudo-states” that are introduced in evaluated nuclear data files to account for the Livermore pulsed sphere experiments. A third advance consists of the recent optimization of the Gogny D1M effective nuclear interaction, including constraints from experimental nuclear masses at the “beyond the mean field” level. All these advances are only made possible by the availability of vast resources of computing power, and even greater resources will allow connecting them, going continuously from the parameters of the nuclear interaction to reactor calculations. However, such scheme will surely only be usable for applications if a few fine-tuning “knobs” are introduced in it. The values of these adjusted parameters will have to be calibrated versus differential and integral experimental constraints.

State-of-the-art of computational tools and data for IFMIF neutronics and activation analyses

An overview is presented of the state-of-the-art of computational tools, data and models developed for neutronics and activation analyses of the IFMIF neutron source. Significant progress has been achieved in making available computational tools for simulating the d-Li neutron (and photon) source term with the McDeLicious Monte Carlo code and associated d+6,7Li cross-section data, in generating neutronics Monte Carlo geometry models by the McCad conversion software, and in providing the interface programme MCDO to enable coupled 3D Monte Carlo and discrete ordinates shielding calculations. In the field of nuclear data for IFMIF, a major milestone has been achieved with the launching of the FENDL-3 research project co-ordinated by the IAEA. Another major achievement is the production of the European Activation File, version EAF-2007, which has the neutron energy range extended to the needs of IFMIF and also provides calculated data libraries for deuteron and proton induced activation reactions.

Some recent activities of the International Atomic Energy Agency in the field of nuclear data

Results of recent IAEA activities related to assembly, maintenance and verification of databases of relevance to radiochemistry are presented. These include: (1) integral and differential nuclear constants for prompt gamma neutron activation analysis; (2) excitation functions for cyclotron production of medical radioisotopes using proton, deuteron and alpha particle projectiles; (3) data for dose calculations in radiation medical treatment/diagnosis and (4) nuclear cross section standards.

The International Science and Technology Center: Scope of Activities and Scientific Projects in the Field of Nuclear Data

The review of the ISTC Programs and activities including Science Project Program, Partner Program, Seminar Program and others is presented. Project funding by technology area, by funding Parties, by CIS States etc. is demonstrated with emphasis on projects in the field of nuclear data. The ISTC opportunities for international cooperation in the fields of nuclear data measurements, calculation, evaluation and dissemination are discussed.

旧ソ連邦における核データ活動

Nuclear data activities in CIS have been surveyed by visiting 7 research institutes in Russia and Belarus. There has been accumulated much expertise both on measurements and on evaluation of nuclear data. These institutes are suffering, however, from severe budgetary problems after the corruption of the Soviet Union. International cooperation programs are now under planning through International Science and Technology Center (ISTC) so as to support the ex-Soviet nuclear scientists. The cooperation in the field of nuclear data is very valuable for both Russia and Japan. Particularly in the measurements of actinide nuclides, their experience and available samples are very attractive for Japan, where very few activities exist in this field.

核データセンターの活動 核データ利用の手引き

The present status of international cooperation system for the nuclear data activities is introductorily explained in outline. The Nuclear Data Center of Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute is presently the only public data center in the field of nuclear data in Japan, and it has the following scope of the works: evaluation of the nuclear data, compilation of the Japanese Evaluated Nuclear Data Library (JENDL), application of the data including benchmark tests, development of the data storage, retrieval and processing systems, data service to the users, secretariat of the Japanese Nuclear Data Committee, and international cooperation. An introduction to the use of nuclear data is given with a brief information on the availability of the data and with some matters that demand special attention.

II. ENEAの核データの分野での活動

II. ENEAの核データの分野での活動