Neutron Induced Fission Fragment Angular Distributions, Anisotropy, and Linear Momentum Transfer Measured with the NIFFTE Fission Time Projection Chamber
D. Hensle, J. T. Barker, J. S. Barrett, N. S. Bowden, K. J. Brewster, J. Bundgaard, Z. Q. Case, R. J. Casperson, D. A. Cebra, T. Classen, D. L. Duke, N. Fotiadi… 展开作者
D. Hensle, J. T. Barker, J. S. Barrett, N. S. Bowden, K. J. Brewster, J. Bundgaard, Z. Q. Case, R. J. Casperson, D. A. Cebra, T. Classen, D. L. Duke, N. Fotiadis, J Gearhart, V. Geppert-Kleinrath, U. Greife, E. Guardincerri, C. Hagmann, M. Heffner, C. R. Hicks, D. Higgins, L. D. Isenhower, K. Kazkaz, A. Kemnitz, K. J. Kiesling, J. King, J. L. Klay, J. Latta, E. Leal, W. Loveland, M. Lynch, J. A. Magee, B. Manning, M. P. Mendenhall, M. Monterial, S. Mosby, G. Oman, C. Prokop, S. Sangiorgio, K. T. Schmitt, B. Seilhan, L. Snyder, F. Tovesson, C. L. Towell, R. S. Towell, T. R. Towell, N. Walsh, T. S. Watson, L. Yao, W. Younes
The Neutron Induced Fission Fragment Tracking Experiment (NIFFTE) collaboration has performed measurements with a fission time projection chamber (fissionTPC) to study the fission process by reconstructing full three-dimensional tracks of fission fragments and other ionizing radiation. The amount of linear momentum imparted to the fissioning nucleus by the incident neutron can be inferred by measuring the opening angle between the fission fragments. Using this measured linear momentum, fission fragment angular distributions can be converted to the center-of-mass frame for anisotropy measurements. Angular anisotropy is an important experimental observable for understanding the quantum mechanical state of the fissioning nucleus and vital to determining detection efficiency for cross section measurements. Neutron linear momentum transfer to fissioning $^{235}$U, $^{238}$U, and $^{239}$Pu and fission fragment angular anisotropy of $^{235}$U and $^{238}$U as a function of neutron energies in the range 130 keV--250 MeV are presented.
The $^{239}$Pu(n,f)/$^{235}$U(n,f) cross-section ratio has been measured with the fission Time Projection Chamber (fissionTPC) from 100 keV to 100 MeV. The fissionTPC provides three-dimensional reconstruction of fission-fragment ionization profiles, allowing for a precise quantification of measurement uncertainties. The measurement was performed at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center which provides a pulsed white source of neutrons. The data are recommended to be used as a cross-section ratio shape. A discussion of the status of the absolute normalization and comparisons to ENDF evaluations …
The Neutron Induced Fission Fragment Tracking Experiment (NIFFTE) is a double-sided Time Projection Chamber (TPC) with micromegas readout designed to measure the energy-dependent neutron-induced fission cross sections of the major and minor actinides with unprecedented accuracy. The NIFFTE project addresses the challenge of minimizing major sources of systematic uncertainties from previous fission chamber measurements such as: target and beam non-uniformities, misidentification of alpha and light charged particles as fission fragments, and uncertainties inherent to the reference standards used…
We present the results of a measurement of isotopic concentrations and atomic number ratio of a double-sided actinide target with alpha-spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The double-sided actinide target, with primarily Pu-239 on one side and U-235 on the other, was used in the fission Time Projection Chamber (fissionTPC) for a measurement of the neutron-induced fission cross-section ratio between the two isotopes. The measured atomic number ratio is intended to provide an absolute normalization of the measured fission cross-section ratio. The Pu-239/U-235 atom number ratio was measured with …
Fission fragment angular distributions can provide an important constraint on fission theory, improving predictive fission codes, and are a prerequisite for a precise ratio cross section measurement. Available anisotropy data is sparse, especially at neutron energies above 5 MeV. For the first time, a three-dimensional tracking detector is employed to study fragment emission angles and provide a direct measurement of angular anisotropy. The Neutron Induced Fission Fragment Tracking Experiment (NIFFTE) collaboration has deployed the fission time projection chamber (fissionTPC) to measure nuclea…
Fission chambers were first made fifty years ago for neutron detection. At the moment, the French Atomic Energy Commission \textsf{(CEA-Cadarache)} is developing a sub-miniature fission chamber technology with a diameter of 1.5 mm working in the current mode (Bign). To be able to measure intense fluxes, it is necessary to adjust the chamber geometry and the gas pressure before testing it under real neutron flux. In the present paper, we describe a theoretical method to foresee the current-voltage characteristics (sensitivity and saturation plateau) of a fission chamber whose geometrical featur…
A new measurement is presented of the $^6$Li(n,$α$)t cross section from 245 keV to 10 MeV using a $^{252}$Cf fission chamber with $^6$LiI(Eu) and Cs$_2$LiYCl$_6$:Ce (CLYC) scintillators which act as both target and detector. Neutron energies are determined from the time of flight (TOF) method using the signals from spontaneous fission and reaction product recoil. Simulations of neutron downscatter in the crystals and fission chamber bring $^6$Li(n,$α$)t cross section values measured with the $^6$LiI(Eu) into agreement with previous experiments and evaluations, except for two resonances at 4.2 …
The Pu-239 fission chambers are widely used to measure fission spectrum neutron flux due to a flat response to fast neutrons. However, in the mean time the resonance and thermal neutrons can cause a significant influence on the measurement if they are moderated, which could be eliminated by using B and Cd covers. At a column enriched uranium fast neutron critical assembly, the fission reaction rates of Pu-239 are measured as 1.791*10-16,2.350*10-16 and 1.385*10-15 per second for 15mm thick B cover, 0.5mm thick Cd cover, and no cover respectively. While the fission reaction rate of Pu-239 is ra…
The fission Time Projection Chamber (fissionTPC) is a compact (15 cm diameter) two-chamber MICROMEGAS TPC designed to make precision cross section measurements of neutron-induced fission. The actinide targets are placed on the central cathode and irradiated with a neutron beam that passes axially through the TPC inducing fission in the target. The 4$π$ acceptance for fission fragments and complete charged particle track reconstruction are powerful features of the fissionTPC which will be used to measure fission cross sections and examine the associated systematic errors. This paper provides a …
Recent theoretical and experimental results have brought renewed interest and focus on the topic of fission fragment angular momentum. Measurements of neutrons and $γ$ rays in coincidence with fission fragments remain the most valuable tool in the exploration of fission physics. To achieve these scientific goals, we have developed a system that combines a state-of-the-art fission fragment detector and $n$-$γ$ radiation detectors. A new twin Frisch-gridded ionization chamber has been designed and constructed for use with a spontaneous fission source and an array of forty \textit{trans}-stilbene…
Prompt fission neutron spectra from $^{239}$Pu($n,f$) were measured for incident neutron energies from $0.7$ to $700\,$MeV at the Weapons Neutron Research facility (WNR) of the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center. A newly designed high-efficiency fission chamber was coupled to the highly segmented Chi-Nu array to detect neutrons emitted in fission events. The double time-of-flight technique was used to deduce the incident-neutron energies from the spallation target and the outgoing-neutron energies from the fission chamber. Prompt fission neutron spectra (PFNS) were measured with respect to $^{2…
The normalized $^{238}$U(n,f)/$^{235}$U(n,f) cross section ratio has been measured using the NIFFTE fission Time Projection Chamber from the reaction threshold to $30$~MeV. The fissionTPC is a two-volume MICROMEGAS time projection chamber that allows for full three-dimensional reconstruction of fission-fragment ionization profiles from neutron-induced fission. The measurement was performed at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center, where the neutron energy is determined from neutron time-of-flight. The $^{238}$U(n,f)/$^{235}$U(n,f) ratio reported here is the first cross section measurement made…
Neutron- and proton-induced fission cross-sections of separated isotopes of tungsten (182W, 183W, 184W, and 186W) and 181Ta relative to 209Bi have been measured in the incident nucleon energy region 50 - 200 MeV using fission chambers based on thin-film breakdown counters (TFBC) using quasi-monoenergetic neutrons from the 7Li(p,n) reaction and at the proton beams of The Svedberg Laboratory (TSL), Uppsala University (Uppsala, Sweden). The results are compared with predictions by the CEM03.01 event generator, as well as with the recent data for nuclei in the lead-bismuth region. The effect of "c…
Background: Spontaneous fission events emit prompt neutrons correlated with one another in emission angle and energy. Purpose: We explore the relationship in energy and angle between correlated prompt neutrons emitted from 252Cf spontaneous fission. Methods: Measurements with the Chi-Nu array provide experimental data for coincident neutrons tagged with a fission chamber signal with 10 degree angular resolution and 1 ns timing resolution for time-of-flight energy calculations. The experimental results are compared to simulations produced by the fission event generators CGMF, FREYA, and MCNPX-P…
Development of nuclear energy applications requires data for neutron-induced reactions for actinides in a wide neutron energy range. Here we describe measurements of pre-neutron emission fission fragment mass yields of 232Th and 238U at incident neutron energies from 10 to 33 MeV. The measurements were done at the quasi-monoenergetic neutron beam of the Louvain-la-Neuve cyclotron facility CYCLONE; a multi-section twin Frisch-gridded ionization chamber was used to detect fission fragments. For the peak neutron energies at 33, 45 and 60 MeV, the details of the data analysis and the experimental …
Using a unique two-arm detector system for heavy ions (the BRS, binary reaction spectrometer) coincident fission events have been measured from the decay of $^{60}$Zn compound nuclei formed at 88MeV excitation energy in the reactions with $^{36}$Ar beams on a $^{24}$Mg target at $E_{lab}(^{36}$Ar) = 195 MeV. The detectors consisted of two large area position sensitive (x,y) gas telescopes with Bragg-ionization chambers. From the binary coincidences in the two detectors inclusive and exclusive cross sections for fission channels with differing losses of charge were obtained. Narrow out-of-plane…
Neutron-induced fission of $^{237}$Np has been measured over a wide range of incident neutron energies using a twin Frisch-gridded ionization chamber (TFGIC) and a thin-backed $^{237}$Np target. These measurements were performed at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center - Weapons Neutron Research (LANSCE - WNR) facility, which provides a collimated beam of neutrons with energies ranging from 100s of keV to 100s of MeV. The data were analyzed using the double-energy ($2E$) method, with mass-dependent corrections for prompt-fission neutrons and pulse height defect. Pre- and post-neutron evaporati…
The measurement for charge distributions of fragments in 252Cf has been performed by using a unique style of detector setup consisting of a typical grid ionization chamber and a dE-E particle telescope. We found that the fragment mass dependency of the average width of the charge distribution shows a systematic decreased trend with the obvious odd-even effect. The variation of widths of charge distribution with kinetic energies shows an approximate V-shape curve due to the large number of neutron emission for the high excitation energies and cold fragmentation with low excitation energies. As …
When a lambda hyperon was embedded in a nucleus, it can form a hypernucleus. The lifetime and its mass dependence of stable hypernuclei provide information about the weak decay of lambda hyperon inside nuclear medium. This work will introduce the Jefferson Lab experiment (E02-017) which aims to study the lifetime of the heavy hypernuclei using a specially developed fission fragment detection technique, a multi-wire proportional chamber operated under low gas pressure (LPMWPC). Presented here are the method and performance of the reconstruction of fission position on the target foil, the separa…
Neutron- and proton-induced fission cross-sections of separated isotopes of tungsten (182W, 183W, 184W, and 186W) and natural tungsten relative to 209Bi have been measured in the incident nucleon energy region 50-200 MeV using fission chambers based on thin-film breakdown counters (TFBC) at quasi-monoenergetic neutrons from the 7Li(p,n) reaction and at the proton beams of The Svedberg Laboratory (TSL), Uppsala University (Uppsala, Sweden). The preliminary experimental data are presented in comparison with the recent data for nuclei in the lead-bismuth region, as well as with predictions by the…
At the IGISOL-JYFLTRAP facility, fission mass yields can be studied at high precision. Fission fragments from a U target are passing through a Ni foil and entering a gas filled chamber. The collected fragments are guided through a mass separator to a Penning trap where their masses are identified. This simulation work focuses on how different fission fragment properties (mass, charge and energy) affect the stopping efficiency in the gas cell. In addition, different experimental parameters are varied (e. g. U and Ni thickness and He gas pressure) to study their impact on the stopping efficiency…
A position-sensitive, high-resolution time-of-flight detector for fission fragments has been developed. The SPectrometer for Ion DEterminiation in fission Research (SPIDER) is a $2E-2v$ spectrometer designed to measure the mass of light fission fragments to a single mass unit. The time pick-off detector pairs to be used in SPIDER have been tested with $α$-particles from $^{229}$Th and its decay chain and $α$-particles and spontaneous fission fragments from $^{252}$Cf. Each detector module is comprised of a thin electron conversion foil, electrostatic mirror, microchannel plates, and delay-line…
The nuclear fission process that occurs in the core of nuclear reactors results in unstable, neutron rich fission products that subsequently beta decay and emit electron anti-neutrinos. These reactor neutrinos have served neutrino physics research from the initial discovery of the neutrino to current precision measurements of neutrino mixing angles. The prediction of the absolute flux and energy spectrum of the emitted reactor neutrinos hinges upon a series of seminal papers based on measurements performed in the 1970s and 1980s. The steadily improving reactor neutrino measurement techniques a…
A new measurement of the $^{235}$U(n,f) cross section was performed at the neutron time-of-flight facility n_TOF at CERN. The experiment focused on neutron energies from 20 MeV to several hundred MeV, and was normalized to neutron scattering on hydrogen. This is a measurement first of its kind at this facility, in an energy range that was until now not often explored, so the detector development phase was crucial for its success. Two detectors are presented, a parallel plate fission chamber (PPFC) and a recoil proton telescope (RPT), both dedicated to perform measurements in the incident neutr…
We provide a quantitative description of a method to measure neutron-induced fission cross sections in ratio to elastic hydrogen scattering in a white-source neutron beam with the fission Time Projection Chamber. This detector has measured precision fission cross section ratios using actinide references such as $^{235}$U(n,f) and $^{238}$U(n,f). However, by employing a more precise reference such as the H(n,el) cross section there is the potential to further reduce the evaluation uncertainties of the measured cross sections. In principle the fissionTPC could provide a unique measurement by sim…
Recoil Proton Telescopes and Parallel Plate Avalanche Counters for the $^{235}$U(n,f) cross section measurement relative to H(n,n)H between 10 and 450 MeV neutron energy
In this paper, we study a monitoring method for neutron flux for the spallation target used in an accelerator driven sub-critical (ADS) system, where a spallation target located vertically at the centre of a sub-critical core is bombarded vertically by high-energy protons from an accelerator. First, by considering the characteristics in the spatial variation of neutron flux from the spallation target, we propose a multi-point measurement technique, i.e. the spallation neutron flux should be measured at multiple vertical locations. To explain why the flux should be measured at multiple location…
The MEGAPIE project is a key experiment on the road to Accelerator Driven Systems and it provides the scientific community with unique data on the behavior of a liquid lead-bismuth spallation target under realistic and long term irradiation conditions. The neutronic of such target is of course of prime importance when considering its final destination as an intense neutron source. This is the motivation to characterize the inside neutron flux of the target in operation. A complex detector, made of 8 micro fission-chambers, has been built and installed in the core of the target, few tens of cen…
Diamonds are very promising candidates for the neutron diagnostics in harsh environments such as fusion reactor. In the first place this is because of their radiation hardness, exceeding that of Silicon by an order of magnitude. Also, in comparison to the standard on-line neutron diagnostics (fission chambers, silicon based detectors, scintillators), diamonds are less sensitive to $γ$ rays, which represent a huge background in fusion devices. Finally, their low leakage current at high temperature suppresses the detector intrinsic noise. In this talk a CVD diamond based detector has been propos…
