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Title: A measurement of the thermal neutron capture cross section of /sup 232/Th

Journal Article · · Nucl. Sci. Eng.; (United States)
OSTI ID:5272776

The thermal neutron capture cross section of /sup 232/Th has been measured relative to that of /sup 197/Au. Foils of gold, thorium metal, and thoria were irradiated together in the NRU reactor thermal column. The /sup 198/Au activity was assayed in a 4..pi gamma.. ionization chamber, which had been previously calibrated with samples of /sup 198/Au standardized by the 4..pi beta..-..gamma.. coincidence method. Protactinium-233 sources were also standardized by this method. Comparison of these sources with the irradiated thorium, by means of a Ge(Li) spectrometer, enabled the /sup 233/Pa activity in the thorium-bearing foils to be determined. Taking the 2200 m/s capture cross section of /sup 197/Au to be 98.8 b, that of /sup 232/Th is found to be 7.33+.0.06b. The uncertainty is at the 95% confidence level and includes an estimate of the systematic uncertainties.

Research Organization:
Chalk River Nuclear Labs., Chalk River, Ontario K0J 1J0
OSTI ID:
5272776
Journal Information:
Nucl. Sci. Eng.; (United States), Vol. 93:2
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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