Studies of 54,56 Fe Neutron Scattering Cross Sections
Elastic and inelastic neutron scattering differential cross sections and γ-ray production cross sections have been measured on 54,56 Fe at several incident energies in the fast neutron region between 1.5 and 4.7 MeV. All measurements were completed at the University of Kentucky Accelerator Laboratory (UKAL) using a 7-MV Model CN Van de Graaff accelerator, along with the neutron production and neutron and γ-ray detection systems located there. The facilities at UKAL allow the investigation of both elastic and inelastic scattering with nearly mono-energetic incident neutrons. Time-of-flight techniques were used to detect the scattered neutrons for the differential cross section measurements. The measured cross sections are important for fission reactor applications and also for testing global model calculations such as those found at ENDF, since describing both the elastic and inelastic scattering is important for determining the direct and compound components of the scattering mechanism. The γ-ray production cross sections are used to determine cross sections to unresolved levels in the neutron scattering experiments. Results from our measurements and comparisons to model calculations are presented.
Neutron inelastic scattering on 54Fe
Abstract.A neutron inelastic scattering experiment was performed at the Geel Electron Linear Accelerator neutron source using an enriched 54Fe sample. The $\gamma$γ rays produced in the reaction were detected using the Gamma Array for Inelastic Neutron Scattering spectrometer. For each observed transition we determined the $\gamma$γ-production cross section for incident energies ranging from the inelastic threshold ($\approx 1.434$≈1.434 MeV) up to 18 MeV. Using these primary data we also calculated the cross section of the first excited level and the total inelastic cross section. Our experimental results are compared with previous reported values, evaluated nuclear data libraries and theoretical calculations performed with the TALYS 1.9 code. A careful tuning of the optical model parameters allowed significant improvements in the description of the experimental results leading to interesting conclusions regarding the interaction of the 54Fe nucleus with neutrons.
Characterization of the neutron beam at nELBE
Abstract The neutron time-of-flight setup nELBE at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf uses an intense electron beam impinging on a liquid-lead target to produce neutrons in the energy range from about 10 keV to 10 MeV. This neutron source will be used to measure fast-neutron induced reactions with relevance for future nuclear transmutation facilities and nuclear waste management. The spatial profile, the intensity, the energy distribution and the time structure of the nELBE neutron beam have been investigated and the techniques how they were measured are explained in this work.