Measurement of the neutron capture cross sections of the actinides

Conference · Wed Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1975 · Natl. Bur. Stand. (U.S.), Spec. Publ.; (United States)

OSTI ID:7285356

Weston, L W; Todd, J H

The capture cross sections of the isotopes heavier than /sup 239/Pu are of great importance for the core physics, fuel recycle, and waste management for power reactors. Since total cross sections are not sufficient, a program for the measurement of these needed capture cross sections is being carried out at ORNL. Measurements have been almost completed on /sup 240/Pu, /sup 241/Pu, and /sup 241/Am and have been planned for /sup 242/Pu and possible /sup 237/Np and /sup 243/Am. The capture gamma-ray detector used is the ''total energy detector'' which is a modification of the Moxon-Rae detector. Fission, when present, is detected with fast neutron counters. Results obtained on /sup 240/Pu, /sup 241/Pu, and /sup 241/Am will extend continuously from thermal neutron energies to 350 keV. The cross sections are normalized at thermal neutron energies and the neutron flux is measured relative to the /sup 10/B(n,..cap alpha..) cross section up to 2 keV and /sup 6/Li(n,..cap alpha..) at higher neutron energies. The accuracy of the techniques used varies with the sample but is about 8 percent. With such cross sections the long range management of the actinides produced in power reactors can be planned on a more systematic basis. 4 figures. (auth)

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN
• OSTI ID: 7285356
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Natl. Bur. Stand. (U.S.), Spec. Publ.; (United States) Journal Volume: 1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

652025* -- Nuclear Properties & Reactions
A=220 & above
Experimental-- Nuclear Reactions & Scattering-- (-1987)
73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS
ABSORPTION
ACTINIDE ISOTOPES
ACTINIDE NUCLEI
ALPHA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
AMERICIUM 241 TARGET
AMERICIUM 242
AMERICIUM ISOTOPES
BARYON REACTIONS
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
CAPTURE
CROSS SECTIONS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELECTRON CAPTURE RADIOISOTOPES
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
EVEN-ODD NUCLEI
GAMMA RADIATION
HADRON REACTIONS
HEAVY NUCLEI
HOURS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
IONIZING RADIATIONS
ISOMERIC TRANSITION ISOTOPES
ISOTOPES
NEUTRON REACTIONS
NUCLEAR REACTIONS
NUCLEI
NUCLEON REACTIONS
ODD-ODD NUCLEI
PLUTONIUM 240 TARGET
PLUTONIUM 241
PLUTONIUM 241 TARGET
PLUTONIUM 242
PLUTONIUM ISOTOPES
RADIATIONS
RADIOISOTOPES
TARGETS
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES