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Definition of Subcriticality Using the Importance Function for the Production of Fission Neutrons

Journal Article · · Nuclear Science and Engineering
OSTI ID:20804669
Using an importance function describing the capability of a system for producing fission neutrons, a new definition of the subcriticality is proposed, which has the physical meaning of a multiplication factor in a real subcritical system with external sources. This multiplication factor k{sub s}, which expresses the number of fission neutrons produced by a fission neutron in a steady state, is different from the usual criticality factor or the effective multiplication factor k{sub eff}, since the former is calculated from the inhomogeneous equation with external source, whereas the latter is calculated from the homogeneous criticality equation without external source.
OSTI ID:
20804669
Journal Information:
Nuclear Science and Engineering, Journal Name: Nuclear Science and Engineering Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 136; ISSN NSENAO; ISSN 0029-5639
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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