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Potential applications of /sup 242m/Am as a nuclear fuel

Journal Article · · Nucl. Sci. Eng.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6161677
The isomer /sup 242m/Am with a half-life of 141 yr. is obtained from a (n,..gamma..) capture reaction with /sup 241/Am. The latter is a decay product of /sup 241/Pu. The isomer /sup 242m/Am has the highest known thermal fission cross section. The cross sections of this isomer are evaluated. Unit cell calculations show that nuclear systems with /sup 242m/Am require less fuel by a factor of 2 to 100 compared to conventional fuels. These results indicate that potential applications of americium fuel exist, particularly for space reactors.
Research Organization:
Ben-Gurion Univ., Dept. of Nuclear Engineering, Beer-Sheva (IL)
OSTI ID:
6161677
Journal Information:
Nucl. Sci. Eng.; (United States), Journal Name: Nucl. Sci. Eng.; (United States) Vol. 99:3; ISSN NSENA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English