EPJ Web of Conferences (Jan 2018)

Measurements of the Prompt Fission Neutron Spectrum at LANSCE: The Chi-Nu Experiment

  • Kelly Keegan J.,
  • Devlin Matthew,
  • Gomez Jaime A.,
  • O’Donnell John M.,
  • Taddeucci Terry N.,
  • Haight Robert C.,
  • Lee Hye Young,
  • Mosby Shea M.,
  • Fotiades Nikolaos,
  • Neudecker Denise,
  • Talou Patrick,
  • Rising Michael E.,
  • White Morgan C.,
  • Solomon Clell J.,
  • Wu Ching-Yen,
  • Bucher Brian,
  • Buckner Matthew Q.,
  • Henderson Roger A.

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1051/epjconf/201819303003
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 193
p. 03003

Abstract

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The goal of the Chi-Nu experiment at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center is to measure the prompt fission neutron spectra from major actinides using a double time-of-flight method with a pulsed, white incoming neutron source. Fission events are detected with a parallel-plate avalanche counter and outgoing neutrons are detected with either a 6Li-glass or liquid scintillator detector array for low- or high-energy neutrons, respectively. A detector response matrix for the interaction of neutrons with the experimental environment for neutrons measured with the Chi-Nu 6Li-glass detector array has been calculated to obtain a full understanding of the measured Chi-Nu data and also to allow for nearly instantaneous production of simulated Chi-Nu data spectra. Prompt fission neutron spectra corresponding to 19 incoming neutron energy ranges from 0.7-20 MeV have been extracted using the ratio-of-ratios method with Chi-Nu 6Li-glass data on the neutron-induced fission of 235U.