Measurement of the delayed neutron fraction and correction of small angle scattering data from a pulsed spallation source
Abstract The fraction of delayed neutrons in a moderated beam from the enriched uranium, pulsed spallation source at the intense pulsed neutron source at Argonne National Laboratory has been measured and found to be 0.0283 for 450-MeV protons. Delayed neutrons produce a sample-dependent background in time-of-flight instruments. Because of the distribution of neutron wavelengths in the prompt pulse, the significance of the delayed neutron contribution to the observed scattering profile is strongly dependent on the wavelength and therefore on the magnitude of the momentum transfer. This effect is demonstrated, and a general correction procedure in current use for small angle neutron scattering data is described.
Correcting time-of-flight neutron diffraction data for chopped delayed neutron backgrounds: the action of a drum chopper in a pulsed neutron beam
Abstract Delayed neutron choppers in pulsed source neutron beams serve to reduce the background caused by delayed neutrons in pulsed source instruments. We analyze the effect of a drum chopper placed in an incident pulsed beam which contains delayed neutrons and compute its influence on the detector counting rate. Expressions are found for the time and wavelength dependence of the counting rates for both prompt and delayed neutrons, in both the monitor and the scattered neutron detectors. On the basis of these results, an exact method for determining the delayed neutron background is suggested for use in measuring and correcting pulsed-source diffractometer data, by operating the chopper in random phase with respect to the source. Other approximate methods are investigated. We report measurements which confirm the analysis.
Long Ceramic Beam Tubes for Accelerator Magnets
The ceramic beam tubes for the fast and abort kickers and the bucker and pinger magnets used at Fermilab must meet a number of exacting requirements. The tubes must be long and sufficiently straight so as not to limit magnet design. They must have wall strength capable of withstanding the atmospheric and mechanical forces encountered during construction and operation. Vacuum tight ceramic to stainless steel transitions must be of reasonable cost; they must also withstand high temperature processing and remain vacuum tight to the 10/sup -9/ Torr range. To remove the possibility of static charge buildup each tube must have a surface coating of indium oxide applied to the inner wall. This thin coating is difficult to achieve and requires the most careful attention to detail. The methods used at Fermilab to achieve these goals are presented in this paper.