Measurement of the prompt fission neutron spectrum from 800 keV to 10 MeV for 240Pu(sf) and for the 240Pu($n,f$) reaction induced by neutrons of energy from 1–20 MeV

Kelly, K. J.; Devlin, M.; O'Donnell, J. M.; Neudecker, D.; Wu, C. Y.; Henderson, R.; Lovell, A. E.; Haight, R. C.; Bennett, E. A.; Ullmann, J. L.; Fotiades, N.; Copp, P. A.

doi:10.1103/physrevc.109.064611

Title: Measurement of the prompt fission neutron spectrum from 800 keV to 10 MeV for ²⁴⁰Pu(sf) and for the ²⁴⁰Pu($n,f$) reaction induced by neutrons of energy from 1–20 MeV

Journal Article · 13 June 2024 · Physical Review. C

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevc.109.064611 · OSTI ID:2372803

^[1];

^[1]; O'Donnell, J. M. ^[1]; Neudecker, D. ^[1];

^[2]; Henderson, R. ^[2];

^[1]; Haight, R. C. ^[1];

^[1]; Ullmann, J. L. ^[1];

^[1]; Copp, P. A. ^[1]

Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)

Here, the presence of ²⁴⁰Pu in nuclear fuels for reactors has resulted in high uncertainties in the results of reactor and nuclear transmutation calculations because of deficiencies in ²⁴⁰Pu-related nuclear data. Specifically for the prompt fission neutron spectrum (PFNS) of ²⁴⁰Pu, there is only one neutron-induced, (n,f), measurement at 0.85 MeV incident neutron energy and only one complete spontaneous fission, (sf), measurement. This limited availability of data does not sufficiently guide nuclear data evaluations of these quantities. Here we report on a measurement of both the ²⁴⁰Pu(sf) and the ²⁴⁰Pu(n,f) PFNS, both over the emitted neutron energy range of 0.79–10.0 MeV, and from incident neutron energies of 1.0–20.0 MeV for the (n,f) reaction. Measurements were made with a hemispherical array of liquid scintillators at the high-energy Los Alamos Neutron Science Center white neutron source at the Weapons Neutron Research facility as part of the joint LANL-LLNL Chi-Nu experimental campaign to measure actinide fission neutron spectra. These measurements are the first of their kind, and provide clear experimental evidence for second-chance fission, third chance fission, and pre-equilibrium neutron emission processes in neutron-induced fission of ²⁴⁰Pu, and are the first ever measurements above 1 MeV incident neutron energy.

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Research Organization:: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC52-07NA27344; 89233218CNA000001

OSTI ID:: 2372803

Report Number(s):: LLNL--JRNL-858845; 1089424

Journal Information:: Physical Review. C, Journal Name: Physical Review. C Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 109; ISSN 2469-9985

Publisher:: American Physical Society (APS)Copyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Title: Measurement of the prompt fission neutron spectrum from 800 keV to 10 MeV for 240Pu(sf) and for the 240Pu($n,f$) reaction induced by neutrons of energy from 1–20 MeV

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Title: Measurement of the prompt fission neutron spectrum from 800 keV to 10 MeV for ²⁴⁰Pu(sf) and for the ²⁴⁰Pu($n,f$) reaction induced by neutrons of energy from 1–20 MeV