Neutron Cross Section Data Research Articles

Neutronics study on HCCB blanket for CFETR

Chinese Fusion Engineering Testing Reactor (CFETR) is aimed to obtain the technologies to fill the gaps between ITER and DEMO. The helium cooled ceramic breeder (HCCB) blanket is one of the candidates for CFETR. Ceramics Li4SiO4, beryllium and helium of 8MPa were selected as tritium breeding material, neutron multiplier and coolant, respectively. CLF steel, one of reduced activation ferritic/martensitic (RAFM) steels, was applied as structural materials of blanket. Neutron and gamma transport was simulated with MCNP code and FENDL/MC-2.1 neutron cross section data. Activation calculation was performed with FISPACT-2007 code and EAF-2007 activation file. In this study, neutronics characteristic of HCCB blanket such as tritium breeding ratio (TBR) and shielding were assessed. The arrangement of Be, Li4SiO4 and cooling plate in blanket module was optimized to improve TBR. The sensitive study for First Wall on TBR was also performed. The radioactivity inventories of HCCB blanket were estimated. The dominant radionuclides in structural materials, Li4SiO4 and Beryllium were discussed, respectively. The damage of plasma facing components such as First Wall and divertor due to DT neutron irradiation was analyzed in terms of DPA value and gaseous product.

A Monte-Carlo Benchmark of TRIPOLI-4® and MCNP on ITER neutronics

Radiation protection and shielding studies are often based on the extensive use of 3D Monte-Carlo neutron and photon transport simulations. ITER organization hence recommends the use of MCNP-5 code (version 1.60), in association with the FENDL-2.1 neutron cross section data library, specifically dedicated to fusion applications. The MCNP reference model of the ITER tokamak, the ‘C-lite’, is being continuously developed and improved. This article proposes to develop an alternative model, equivalent to the 'C-lite', but for the Monte-Carlo code TRIPOLI-4®. A benchmark study is defined to test this new model. Since one of the most critical areas for ITER neutronics analysis concerns the assessment of radiation levels and Shutdown Dose Rates (SDDR) behind the Equatorial Port Plugs (EPP), the benchmark is conducted to compare the neutron flux through the EPP. This problem is quite challenging with regard to the complex geometry and considering the important neutron flux attenuation ranging from 1014 down to 108 n•cm-2 •s-1 . Such code-to-code comparison provides independent validation of the Monte-Carlo simulations, improving the confidence in neutronic results.

Monte Carlo simulation of γ and fission transfer-induced probabilities using extended 𝓡-matrix theory: Application to the 237U∗ system

This paper deals with simultaneous neutron-induced average partial cross sections and surrogate-like probability simulations over several excitation and de-excitation channels of the compound nucleus. Present calculations, based on one-dimensional fission barrier extended 𝓡-matrix theory using Monte Carlo samplings of both first and second well resonance parameters, avoid the surrogate-reaction method historically taken for surrogate data analyses that proved to be very poor in terms of extrapolated neutron-induced capture cross sections. Present theoretical approach is portrayed and subsequent results can be compared for the first time with experimental γ-decay probabilities; thanks to brand new simultaneous 238 U(3 He,4 Heγ) and 238 U(3 He,4 He f) surrogate measurements. Future integration of our strategy in standard neutron cross section data evaluation remains tied to the developments made in terms of direct reaction population probability calculations.

Estimation of Double-Differential Angle-Dependent Neutron Production Cross Sections from Tritons on 197Au at Energies from 5.97 to 19.14 MeV

Estimated cross sections for neutron production from triton bombardment of gold are deduced from measurements of triton interactions with gas targets that used gold as a triton beam stop material. Differential cross sections for production of neutrons from 5.97-, 7.47-, 10.45-, 16.41- and 19.14-MeV tritons on 197Au were evaluated. Corrections for the neutron interaction in gold, in the target structure, and in the air of the flight path were obtained by means of a Monte Carlo technique. Uncorrelated scale uncertainties range from 24% to 41% whereas those of double-differential cross sections range from 0.2% to 5%. Based on these cross-section data, calculation of neutron yield at 0 deg from fully stopped tritons at 20.22 MeV agrees with an independent measurement. Least-squares fits with a gamma distribution model indicate an anisotropy in the high-energy portion of the neutron spectra. Legendre polynomial fits of differential cross sections are reported. All neutron cross-section data are made available through the Experimental Nuclear Reaction Data (EXFOR) library at international data centers.

Least-Squares Neutron Spectral Adjustment with STAYSL PNNL

The STAYSL PNNL computer code, a descendant of the STAY'SL code [1], performs neutron spectral adjustment of a starting neutron spectrum, applying a least squares method to determine adjustments based on saturated activation rates, neutron cross sections from evaluated nuclear data libraries, and all associated covariances. STAYSL PNNL is provided as part of a comprehensive suite of programs [2], where additional tools in the suite are used for assembling a set of nuclear data libraries and determining all required corrections to the measured data to determine saturated activation rates. Neutron cross section and covariance data are taken from the International Reactor Dosimetry File (IRDF-2002) [3], which was sponsored by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), though work is planned to update to data from the IAEA's International Reactor Dosimetry and Fusion File (IRDFF) [4]. The nuclear data and associated covariances are extracted from IRDF-2002 using the third-party NJOY99 computer code [5]. The NJpp translation code converts the extracted data into a library data array format suitable for use as input to STAYSL PNNL. The software suite also includes three utilities to calculate corrections to measured activation rates. Neutron self-shielding corrections are calculated as a function of neutron energy with the SHIELD code and are applied to the group cross sections prior to spectral adjustment, thus making the corrections independent of the neutron spectrum. The SigPhi Calculator is a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet used for calculating saturated activation rates from raw gamma activities by applying corrections for gamma self-absorption, neutron burn-up, and the irradiation history. Gamma self-absorption and neutron burn-up corrections are calculated (iteratively in the case of the burn-up) within the SigPhi Calculator spreadsheet. The irradiation history corrections are calculated using the BCF computer code and are inserted into the SigPhi Calculator workbook for use in correcting the measured activities. Output from the SigPhi Calculator is automatically produced, and consists of a portion of the STAYSL PNNL input file data that is required to run the spectral adjustment calculations. Within STAYSL PNNL, the least-squares process is performed in one step, without iteration, and provides rapid results on PC platforms. STAYSL PNNL creates multiple output files with tabulated results, data suitable for plotting, and data formatted for use in subsequent radiation damage calculations using the SPECTER computer code (which is not included in the STAYSL PNNL suite). All components of the software suite have undergone extensive testing and validation prior to release and test cases are provided with the package.

Neutron Cross Section Processing Methods for Improved Integral Benchmarking of Unresolved Resonance Region Evaluations

In this work we describe the development and application of computational methods for processing neutron cross section data in the unresolved resonance region (URR). These methods are integrated with a continuous-energy Monte Carlo neutron transport code, thereby enabling their use in high-fidelity analyses. Enhanced understanding of the effects of URR evaluation representations on calculated results is then obtained through utilization of the methods in Monte Carlo integral benchmark simulations of fast spectrum critical assemblies. First, we present a so-called on-the-fly (OTF) method for calculating and Doppler broadening URR cross sections. This method proceeds directly from ENDF-6 average unresolved resonance parameters and, thus, eliminates any need for a probability table generation pre-processing step in which tables are constructed at several energies for all desired temperatures. Significant memory reduction may be realized with the OTF method relative to a probability table treatment if many temperatures are needed. Next, we examine the effects of using a multi-level resonance formalism for resonance reconstruction in the URR. A comparison of results obtained by using the same stochastically-generated realization of resonance parameters in both the single-level Breit-Wigner (SLBW) and multi-level Breit-Wigner (MLBW) formalisms allows for the quantification of level-level interference effects on integrated tallies such as k eff and energy group reaction rates. Though, as is well-known, cross section values at any given incident energy may differ significantly between single-level and multi-level formulations, the observed effects on integral results are minimal in this investigation. Finally, we demonstrate the calculation of true expected values, and the statistical spread of those values, through independent Monte Carlo simulations, each using an independent realization of URR cross section structure throughout. It is observed that both probability table and OTF treatments reproduce the true expected values, calculated by averaging the results of many independent simulations, quite well. However, the spread of independent calculation results is shown to be relatively significant. The k eff eigenvalues for fast spectrum systems can differ by more than 250 pcm from one simulation to the next.

Neutron Interactions with 3He Revisited–III: Neutron Cross Sections between 24 and 30 MeV

The relative yield excitation functions of neutron-3He elastic cross sections reported in 1982 by the Karlsruhe (Germany) Nuclear Research Center were converted into consistent angle-dependent absolute differential cross sections at 24, 27, and 30 MeV by constructing the elastic cross sections from the total cross sections and the nonelastic cross sections and using them as constraint. This work presents absolute differential cross sections of the elastic and of the two-body nonelastic reactions up to 30 MeV together with reliable estimates of the breakup cross sections. It makes neutron cross-section data of all neutron-3He reactions up to 30 MeV available, expanding the energy range of the data given in Parts I and II.

Optimizations of the energy grid search algorithm in continuous-energy Monte Carlo particle transport codes

In this work we propose, implement, and test various optimizations of the typical energy grid-cross section pair lookup algorithm in Monte Carlo particle transport codes. The key feature common to all of the optimizations is a reduction in the length of the vector of energies that must be searched when locating the index of a particle’s current energy. Other factors held constant, a reduction in energy vector length yields a reduction in CPU time. The computational methods we present here are physics-informed. That is, they are designed to utilize the physical information embedded in a simulation in order to reduce the length of the vector to be searched. More specifically, the optimizations take advantage of information about scattering kinematics, neutron cross section structure and data representation, and also the expected characteristics of a system’s spatial flux distribution and energy spectrum. The methods that we present are implemented in the OpenMC Monte Carlo neutron transport code as part of this work. The gains in computational efficiency, as measured by overall code speedup, associated with each of the optimizations are demonstrated in both serial and multithreaded simulations of realistic systems. Depending on the system, simulation parameters, and optimization method employed, overall code speedup factors of 1.2–1.5, relative to the typical single-nuclide binary search algorithm, are routinely observed.

Validation of minor actinides fission neutron cross-sections

Verification of neutron fission cross-sections of minor actinides from some recently available evaluated nuclear data libraries was carried out by comparison of the reaction rates calculated by the MCNP6.1 computer code to the experimental values. The experimental samples, containing thin layers of 235U, 237Np, 238,239,240,241Pu, 242mAm, 243Cm, 245Cm, and 247Cm, deposited on metal support and foils of 235U (pseudo-alloy 27Al + 235U), 238U, natIn, 64Zn, 27Al, and multi-component sample alloy 27Al + 55Mn + natCu + natLu + 197Au, were irradiated in the channels of the tank containing fluorine salts 0.52NaF + 0.48ZrF4, labelled as the Micromodel Salt Blanket, inserted in the lattice centre of the MAKET heavy water critical assembly at the Institute for Theoretical and Experimental Physics, Moscow. This paper is a continuation of earlier initiated scientific-research activities carried out for validation of the evaluated fission cross-sections of actinides that were supposed to be used for the quality examination of the fuel design of the accelerator driven systems or fast reactors, and consequently, determination of transmutation rates of actinides, and therefore, determination of operation parameters of these reactor facilities. These scientific-research activities were carried out within a frame of scientific projects supported by the International Science and Technology Center and the International Atomic Energy Agency co-ordinated research activities, from 1999 to 2010. Obtained results confirm that further research is needed in evaluations in order to establish better neutron cross-section data for the minor actinides and selected nuclides which could be used in the accelerator driven systems or fast reactors.

Propagation of Neutron Cross Section, Fission Yield, and Decay Data Uncertainties in Depletion Calculations

Propagation of nuclear data uncertainties in reactor calculations is interesting for design purposes and libraries evaluation. Previous versions of the GRS XSUSA library propagated only neutron cross section uncertainties. We have extended XSUSA uncertainty assessment capabilities by including propagation of fission yields and decay data uncertainties due to the their relevance in depletion simulations. We apply this extended methodology to the UAM6 PWR Pin-Cell Burnup Benchmark, which involves uncertainty propagation through burnup.

Determination of shell correction energies at saddle point using pre-scission neutron multiplicities

Abstract Pre-scission neutron multiplicities have been measured for 12C + 194, 198Pt systems at matching excitation energies at near Coulomb barrier region. Statistical model analysis with a modified fission barrier and level density prescription have been carried out to fit the measured pre-scission neutron multiplicities and the available evaporation residue and fission cross sections simultaneously to constrain statistical model parameters. Simultaneous fitting of the pre-scission neutron multiplicities and cross section data requires shell correction at the saddle point.

Evaluation of stable tungsten isotopes in the resolved resonance region

In the last decade benchmark experiments and simulations, together with newly obtained neutron cross section data, have pointed out deficiencies in evaluated data files of W isotopes. The role of W as a fundamental structural material in different nuclear applications fully justifies a new evaluation of 182, 183, 184, 186 W neutron resonance parameters. In this regard transmission and capture cross section measurements on natural and enriched tungsten samples were performed at the GELINA facility of the EC-JRC-IRMM. A resonance parameter file used as input in the resonance shape analysis was prepared based on the available literature and adjusted in first instance to transmission data.

An evaluation of a manganese bath system having a new geometry through MCNP modelling

In this study, an approximate symmetric cylindrical manganese bath system with equal diameter and height was appraised using a Monte Carlo simulation. For nine sizes of the tank filled with MnSO(4).H(2)O solution of three different concentrations, the necessary correction factors involved in the absolute measurement of neutron emission rate were determined by a detailed modelling of the MCNP4C code with the ENDF/B-VII.0 neutron cross section data library. The results obtained were also used to determine the optimum dimensions of the bath for each concentration of solution in the calibration of (241)Am-Be and (252)Cf sources. Also, the amount of gamma radiation produced as a result of (n,γ) the reaction with the nuclei of the manganese sulphate solution that escaped from the boundary of each tank was evaluated. This gamma can be important for the background in NaI(Tl) detectors and issues concerned with radiation protection.

Measurement of Neutron-Induced Reaction Cross Sections in Zirconium Isotopes at Thermal, 2.45 MeV and 9.85 MeV Energies

The 94Zr(n,γ)95Zr and 90Zr(n,p)90Ym reaction cross sections were measured at neutron energies En of 2.45 MeV and 9.85 ± 0.38 MeV (average) using an activation and off-line gamma-ray spectrometric technique. In addition to these, the thermal neutron capture cross sections of 94Zr(n,γ)95Zr and 96Zr(n,γ)97Zr were also measured using the same technique. The experimentally measured neutron cross-section data were compared with the latest available evaluated nuclear data libraries from ENDF/B-VII, JENDL 4.0, and TENDL 2010.

A New Formulation of the Unified Monte Carlo Approach (UMC-B) and Cross-Section Evaluation for the Dosimetry Reaction 55Mn(n,γ)56Mn

Abstract Two relatively new approaches to neutron cross section data evaluation are described. They are known collectively as Unified Monte Carlo (versions UMC-G and UMC-B). Comparisons are made between these two methods, as well as with the well-known generalized least-squares (GLSQ) technique, through the use of simple, hypothetical (toy) examples. These new Monte Carlo methods are based on stochastic sampling of probability functions that are constructed with the use of theoretical and experimental data by applying the principle of maximum entropy. No further assumptions are involved in either UMC-G or UMC-B. However, the GLSQ procedure requires the linearization of non-linear terms, such as those that occur when cross section ratio data are included in an evaluation. It is shown that these two stochastic techniques yield results that agree well with each other, and with the GLSQ method, when linear data are involved, or when the perturbations due to data discrepancies and nonlinearity effects are small. Otherwise, there can be noticeable differences. The present investigation also demonstrates, as observed in earlier work, that the least-squares approach breaks down when these conditions are not satisfied. This paper also presents an actual evaluation of the 55Mn(n,γ)56Mn neutron dosimetry reaction cross section in the energy range from 100 keV to 20 MeV, which was performed using both GLSQ and UMC-G approaches.

ENDF/B-VII.1 Neutron Cross Section Data Testing with Critical Assembly Benchmarks and Reactor Experiments

The ENDF/B-VII.1 library is the latest revision to the United Statesʼ Evaluated Nuclear Data File (ENDF). The ENDF library is currently in its seventh generation, with ENDF/B-VII.0 being released in 2006. This revision expands upon that library, including the addition of new evaluated files (was 393 neutron files previously, now 423 including replacement of elemental vanadium and zinc evaluations with isotopic evaluations) and extension or updating of many existing neutron data files. Complete details are provided in the companion paper [M. B. Chadwick et al., “ENDF/B-VII.1 Nuclear Data for Science and Technology: Cross Sections, Covariances, Fission Product Yields and Decay Data,” Nuclear Data Sheets, 112, 2887 (2011)]. This paper focuses on how accurately application libraries may be expected to perform in criticality calculations with these data. Continuous energy cross section libraries, suitable for use with the MCNP Monte Carlo transport code, have been generated and applied to a suite of nearly one thousand critical benchmark assemblies defined in the International Criticality Safety Benchmark Evaluation Projectʼs International Handbook of Evaluated Criticality Safety Benchmark Experiments. This suite covers uranium and plutonium fuel systems in a variety of forms such as metallic, oxide or solution, and under a variety of spectral conditions, including unmoderated (i.e., bare), metal reflected and water or other light element reflected. Assembly eigenvalues that were accurately predicted with ENDF/B-VII.0 cross sections such as unmoderated and uranium reflected 235U and 239Pu assemblies, HEU solution systems and LEU oxide lattice systems that mimic commercial PWR configurations continue to be accurately calculated with ENDF/B-VII.1 cross sections, and deficiencies in predicted eigenvalues for assemblies containing selected materials, including titanium, manganese, cadmium and tungsten are greatly reduced. Improvements are also confirmed for selected actinide reaction rates such as 236U, 238,242Pu and 241,243Am capture in fast systems. Other deficiencies, such as the overprediction of Pu solution system critical eigenvalues and a decreasing trend in calculated eigenvalue for 233U fueled systems as a function of Above-Thermal Fission Fraction remain. The comprehensive nature of this critical benchmark suite and the generally accurate calculated eigenvalues obtained with ENDF/B-VII.1 neutron cross sections support the conclusion that this is the most accurate general purpose ENDF/B cross section library yet released to the technical community.

The Role of Fe and Ni for S-Process Nucleosynthesis and Innovative Nuclear Technologies

The accurate measurement of neutron capture cross sections of all Fe and Ni isotopes is important for disentangling the contribution of the s-process and the r-process to the stellar nucleosynthesis of elements in the mass range 60 < A < 120. At the same time, Fe and Ni are important components of structural materials and improved neutron cross section data is relevant in the design of new nuclear systems. With the aim of obtaining improved capture data on all stable iron and nickel isotopes, a program of measurements has been launched at the CERN Neutron Time of Flight Facility n_TOF.

Evaluation of 50Cr, 52Cr, 53Cr, 54Cr Neutron Cross Section Data for Energies up to 200 MeV

This work is on the evaluation of high energy general purpose neutron cross section data for the stable isotopes (50)Cr, (52)Cr, (53)Cr and (54)Cr. The GNASH and TALYS codes were applied for the nuclear reaction calculations that involve neutrons, protons, deuterons, tritons, hellions, alphas and photons in the energy range from 1 keV up to 200 MeV. The main focus of this work was on the quality of the evaluated data and their representation in ENDF files prepared in accordance with ENDF-6 format rules. Global optical model potentials were used for all particles in the calculations. The Geometry-Dependent Hybrid preequilibrium model (GDH) was included in TALYS for a better description of the complex particle emissions. The best fit of the experimental data was achieved by adjusting the nuclear model parameters. The data files include also newly evaluated resonance parameters and their covariances. Covariance data for all reaction channels were evaluated by the Unified Monte Carlo Approach. The new structure of the evaluated data files is discussed.

Neutron Capture Measuremetns on Minor Actinides at the n_TOF Facility at CERN: Past, Present and Future

The successful development of advanced nuclear systems for sustainable energy production and nuclear waste management depends on high quality nuclear data libraries. Recent sensitivity stud- ies and reports [1-3] have identi ed the need for substantially improving the accuracy of neutron cross-section data for minor actinides. The n TOF collaboration has initiated an ambitious exper- imental program for the measurement of neutron capture cross sections of minor actinides. Two experimental setups have been constructed for this purpose: a Total Absorption Calorimeter (TAC) [4] for measuring neutron capture cross-sections of low-mass and/or radioactive samples and a set of two low neutron sensitivity C6D6 detectors for the less radioactive materials.

Resonance Region Nuclear Data Analysis to Support Advanced Fuel Cycle Development

The Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and the Korean Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) are performing collaborative research as part of a three-year United States (U.S.)–Republic of Korea (ROK) International Nuclear Energy Research Initiative (I-NERI) project to provide improved neutron cross-section data with uncertainty or covariance data important for advanced fuel cycle and nuclear safeguards applications. ORNL and KAERI have initiated efforts to prepare new cross-section evaluations for Pu, Np, and the stable Cm isotopes. At the current stage of the I-NERI project, ORNL has recently completed a preliminary resonance-region cross-section evaluation with covariance data for Pu and has initiated resonance evaluation efforts for Np and Cm. Likewise, KAERI is performing corresponding high-energy cross-section analyses (i.e., above the resonance region) for the noted isotopes. The paper provides results pertaining to the new resonance region evaluation efforts with emphasis on the new Pu evaluation.