Prompt Neutron Emission Correlations with Fission Fragment Properties

• The investigation of the dynamics of the nuclear fission process has been a standing research topic at the JRC-Geel during the past decades. Recently the focus was put on the de-excitation of fission fragments through the emission of prompt neutrons and gamma-rays. To this end new detector systems were developed at JRC-Geel, e.g. a position sensitive ionization chamber used in conjunction with the neutron scintillator array SCINTIA. The array has been tested using the spontaneous fission of Cf-252. The goal is to study correlations of fission fragments with prompt neutron emission in the resolved resonance region. No strong fluctuations of the average prompt neutron multiplicity for the strongest resonances in U-235 were observed. From the present data the mass-dependent neutron multiplicity, v(A), was generated. The v(A) distribution shows a more pronounced dip around the doubly magic mass A = 132 and at very low masses around A similar to 80 compared to the literature. In addition, a steeper slope for v(TKE) is observed. Cross checking with fragment data clearly shows a narrower mass and total kinetic energy (TKE) distribution. The 2E-2v spectrometer VERDI (VElocity foR Direct mass Identification) became operational. For Cf-252(sf) superior mass resolution is observed compared to a twin Frisch-grid ionization chamber. For post-neutron mass distributions still some issues need to be solved and v(A), being the difference of pre- and post-neutron mass distributions, is still deviating from literature data. Eventually, VERDI will provide a complementary measurement technique to assess v(A) and v(TKE). In addition, an experimental campaign to measure v(A) as a function of incident neutron energy for different actinides has been started. First tests show promising results.

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Fysik -- Subatomär fysik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Physical Sciences -- Subatomic Physics (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Neutron Induced Fission

Prompt Neutron Emission

2E-2v Spectrometer VERDI

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