Showing papers by "Klaus H Guber published in 2011"

Neutron Cross-Section Measurements on Structural Materials at ORELA

Abstract: Neutron capture experiments, using isotopically enriched and natural samples of chromium and titanium, were performed on flight paths 6 and 7 at the 40 m flight station of ORELA. The experimental data were acquired using a pair of deuterated benzene detectors employing the now well-established pulse-height-weighting technique. These data were complemented by new total cross-section measurements where no useful previous data were available.

Evaluation of the Chromium Resonance Parameters Including Resonance Parameter Covariance

Abstract: The intent of this work is to report the results and describe the procedures utilized to evaluate the chromium isotopes' cross sections, i.e., (50)Cr, (52)Cr, (53)Cr, and (54)Cr, for criticality safety applications. The evaluations were done in the resolved resonance region using the reduced Reich-Moore R-matrix formalism. The novel aspect of this evaluation is the inclusion of new transmission and capture cross-section measurements performed at the Oak Ridge Electron Linear Accelerator (ORELA) for energies below 100 keV and the extension of the (53)Cr energy region. The resonance analysis was performed with the multilevel R-matrix code, SAMMY, which utilizes the generalized least-squares technique based on the Bayes' theory. Complete sets of resonance parameters and resonance parameter covariance matrices (RPCMs) were obtained for each of the chromium isotopes from the SAMMY analysis of the experimental database.

Neutron Total and Capture Cross Section of Tungsten Isotopes

Abstract: A new set of measurements for the total and capture cross section determination of W isotopes was done using GELINA (GEel LINear Accelerator), a neutron Time-Of-Flight facility at the Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (IRMM). Measuring stations at different flight path lengths were used in order to cover a broad neutron energy range with high resolution demands. Experimental techniques adopted for both transmission and capture measurements are well established using a (6)Li glass detector and C(6)D(6) scintillation arrays as detections systems respectively., As target samples highly enriched (182,183,184,186)W metallic discs were used.

Resonance Evaluation of 48Ti Including Covariance for Criticality Safety Applications

Abstract: In this work we report the methodology and the results of an evaluation carried out for 48Ti in the resolved resonance region for applications in criticality safety calculations. The evaluation was performed using the computer code SAMMY with the reduced R-matrix Reich-Moore formalism. The Bayes scheme was utilized for fitting the experimental data. New transmission and capture data were essential in the evaluation process. A complete set of resonance parameters was obtained in the energy region from thermal to 400 keV. In addition to the resonance parameters, a resonance parameter covariance matrix was also obtained. The impact of the new resonance parameter evaluation in benchmark calculations, as well as the uncertainty, was verified.

Comment on "Distribution of Partial Neutron Widths for Nuclei Close to a Maximum of the Neutron Strength Function"

Abstract: A recent Letter attempted to reconcile the disagreement between neutron resonance data and random matrix theory (RMT). To this end, a new formula was derived for transforming measured ({\Gamma}_{{\lambda}n}) to reduced ({\Gamma}_{{\lambda}n}^0) neutron widths for s-wave resonances ({\lambda}=1,2,...) in nuclides near peaks of the s-wave neutron strength function. In this Comment, we show that such a rescaling would not, in general, be expected to reconcile the type of disagreement observed, and demonstrate that indeed it does not for the specific cases in question. Hence, the disagreements between RMT and these data remain.

New techniques for determining spins and parities of neutron resonances and their impact on nuclear astrophysics

Abstract: We describe new techniques for determining spins and parities of neutron resonances which have resulted in large improvements over previous methods. These advances have made it possible, for the first time, to obtain reduced-neutron- and total-radiation-width distributions separately for resonances of different spin and parity in odd-A target nuclides. Using these new as well as previous data, we show that neutron distributions sometimes are significantly different from the Porter-Thomas distribution assumed by the nuclear statistical model. Furthermore, we show that the radiation-width distributions often are substantially different than predicted by the nuclear statistical model using standard level densities and photon strength functions. These differences could have significant impact on astrophysical reaction rates calculated using the statistical model.

New Improved Nuclear Data for Nuclear Criticality and Safety

Abstract: The Geel Electron Linear Accelerator (GELINA) was used to measure neutron total and capture cross sections of {sup 182,183,184,186}W and {sup 63,65}Cu in the energy range from 100 eV to {approx}200 keV using the time-of-flight method. GELINA is the only high-power white neutron source with excellent timing resolution and ideally suited for these experiments. Concerns about the use of existing cross-section data in nuclear criticality calculations using Monte Carlo codes and benchmarks were a prime motivator for the new cross-section measurements. To support the Nuclear Criticality Safety Program, neutron cross-section measurements were initiated using GELINA at the EC-JRC-IRMM. Concerns about data deficiencies in some existing cross-section evaluations from libraries such as ENDF/B, JEFF, or JENDL for nuclear criticality calculations were the prime motivator for new cross-section measurements. Over the past years many troubles with existing nuclear data have emerged, such as problems related to proper normalization, neutron sensitivity backgrounds, poorly characterized samples, and use of improper pulse-height weighting functions. These deficiencies may occur in the resolved- and unresolved-resonance region and may lead to erroneous nuclear criticality calculations. An example is the use of the evaluated neutron cross-section data for tungsten in nuclear criticality safety calculations, which exhibit discrepancies in benchmarkmore » calculations and show the need for reliable covariance data. We measured the neutron total and capture cross sections of {sup 182,183,184,186}W and {sup 63,65}Cu in the neutron energy range from 100 eV to several hundred keV. This will help to improve the representation of the cross sections since most of the available evaluated data rely only on old measurements. Usually these measurements were done with poor experimental resolution or only over a very limited energy range, which is insufficient for the current application.« less