Spectrum-averaged cross-section measurement of /sup 103/Rh(n,n)/sup 103m/Rh in the /sup 252/Cf fission neutron spectrum
Because of the similarity in energy dependence of the /sup 103/Rh(n,n') differential cross section to the kerma muscle response function for neutrons, rhodium may be useful as a neutron kerma monitor. In support of its use as a neutron monitor, the spectrum-averaged cross section sigma-bar has been measured for a /sup 252/Cf fission neutron spectrum. Pairs of thin rhodium samples were irradiated on opposite sides of a thinly encapsulated /sup 252/Cf neutron source. The neutron emission rate of the /sup 252/Cf source was determined by the manganous sulfate (MnSO/sub 4/) bath technique. In this method, the californium source emission rate is determined by comparison to the known emission rate of NBS-I, a standard radium-beryllium neutron source. The neutron fluence incident on the rhodium samples is determined from the californium source strength, average sample-to-source distance, and the duration of the irradiation. Corrections are made for neutron scattering saturation of activity, and attenuation of the X rays by the sample during counting. The X rays were detected with an intrinsic germanium detector designed specifically for low-energy X-ray detection. The activity was not determined by absolute counting so that the final results depend on the value of P/sub KAPPAx/, to total KAPPA X-ray emission probability. The results of five separate irradiations yield a value of sigma-bar . P/sub KAPPAx/ = 62.3 +- 1.9 mb. Using the most recently published value of P/sub KAPPAx/ gives a value of sigma-bar = 739 +- 22 mb. A discussion of systematic uncertainties is given.
- Research Organization:
- National Bureau of Standards, Gaithersburg, MD (US)
- OSTI ID:
- 6059031
- Journal Information:
- Nucl. Sci. Eng.; (United States), Vol. 100:1
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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DESIGN
RHODIUM 103 TARGET
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DIFFERENTIAL CROSS SECTIONS
EMISSION SPECTRA
KERMA
MONITORING
NEUTRON SOURCES
NEUTRON SPECTRA
RADIUM
UNCERTAINTY PRINCIPLE
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ALPHA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
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ELEMENTS
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
FERMIONS
GE SEMICONDUCTOR DETECTORS
HADRON REACTIONS
HADRONS
HEAVY NUCLEI
IONIZING RADIATIONS
ISOTOPES
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
METALS
NEUTRONS
NUCLEAR REACTIONS
NUCLEI
NUCLEON REACTIONS
NUCLEONS
PARTICLE SOURCES
RADIATION DETECTORS
RADIATION SOURCES
RADIATIONS
RADIOISOTOPES
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