SELF-REACTIVATING NEUTRON SOURCE FOR A NEUTRONIC REACTOR
Reactors of the type employing beryllium in a reflector region around the active portion and to a neutron source for use therewith are discussed. The neutron source is comprised or a quantity of antimony permanently incorporated in, and as an integral part of, the reactor in or near the beryllium reflector region. During operation of the reactor the natural occurring antimony isotope of atomic weight 123 absorbs neutrons and is thereby transformed to the antimony isotope of atomic weight 124, which is radioactive and emits gamma rays. The gamma rays react with the beryllium to produce neutrons. The beryllium and antimony thus cooperate to produce a built in neutron source which is automatically reactivated by the operation of the reactor itself and which is of sufficient strength to maintain the slow neutron flux at a sufficiently high level to be reliably measured during periods when the reactor is shut down.
- Research Organization:
- Originating Research Org. not identified
- NSA Number:
- NSA-13-014039
- Assignee:
- U.S. Atomic Energy Commission
- Patent Number(s):
- US 2872399
- OSTI ID:
- 4261845
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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