Ethane as a Neutron Moderator at Cryogenic Temperatures

Abstract

The study’s objective is to examine the neutron temperature response, using liquid and solid ethane at various cryogenic temperatures to evaluate the effectiveness of ethane as a cold neutron moderator in compact moderator systems. The experimental measurements were carried out at temperatures of 170 K, 135 K, 100 K, 70 K, 50 K, 25 K, 15 K, and 10 K. Time-of-flight neutron spectra were measured with an instrument at the JULIC Neutron Platform. The effective temperatures of the neutron spectrum emitted are determined by fitting the Maxwellian distribution as a function of the wavelength.