High-accuracy {sup 233}U(n,f) cross-section measurement at the white-neutron source n{sub T}OF from near-thermal to 1 MeV neutron energy

Journal Article · Thu Oct 15 00:00:00 EDT 2009 · Physical Review. C, Nuclear Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVC.80.044604· OSTI ID:21293952

Calviani, M ^[1]; Praena, J; Gramegna, F; Mastinu, P ^[1]; Abbondanno, U; Fujii, K; Milazzo, P M; Moreau, C ^[2]; Aerts, G; Andriamonje, S; Berthoumieux, E; Dridi, W; Gunsing, F; Pancin, J; Perrot, L; Plukis, A ^[3]; Alvarez, H; Duran, I; Paradela, C ^[4]; Alvarez-Velarde, F ^[5]

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1. Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Laboratori Nazionali di Legnaro (Italy)
2. Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Trieste (Italy)
3. CEA/Saclay--DSM/DAPNIA, Gif-sur-Yvette (France)
4. Universidade de Santiago de Compostela (Spain)
5. Centro de Investigaciones Energeticas Medioambientales y Tecnologicas, Madrid (Spain)

The {sup 233}U(n,f) cross section has been measured at the white neutron source n{sub T}OF in a wide energy range with a dedicated fission ionization chamber. We report here the results from {approx}30 meV to 1 MeV neutron energy. The {sup 233}U(n,f) cross section has been determined relative to a reference sample of {sup 235}U(n,f) measured simultaneously with the same detector. The very high instantaneous neutron flux and the intrinsically low background of the n{sub T}OF installation result in an accuracy around 3% in the whole energy range, while the energy resolution of the neutron beam allows for an accurate description of the fission cross section by means of R-matrix analysis over a wide energy range. The results are, in general, in good agreement with the most recent high-accuracy measurement of this fission cross section, over the more limited range of the previous measurements, and indicated that even the latest evaluations underestimate the cross section in the epithermal region. The present high-quality data provide the basis for a more precise evaluation of the {sup 233}U fission cross section and for improving the reliability of databases needed for the design of new energy systems based on the Th/U cycle.

• OSTI ID: 21293952
• Journal Information: Physical Review. C, Nuclear Physics, Vol. 80, Issue 4; Other Information: DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevC.80.044604; (c) 2009 The American Physical Society; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0556-2813
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS
ACCURACY
BASES
CROSS SECTIONS
DESIGN
ENERGY RESOLUTION
ENERGY SYSTEMS
EV RANGE
EVALUATION
FISSION
INSTALLATION
IONIZATION CHAMBERS
KEV RANGE
NEUTRON BEAMS
NEUTRON FLUX
NEUTRON SOURCES
R MATRIX
RELIABILITY
THERMAL NEUTRONS
THORIUM
URANIUM 233
URANIUM 235