| 1. |
- Jansson, Kaj, 1987-, et al.
(författare)
-
The impact of neutron emission on correlated fission data from the 2E-2v method
- 2018
-
Ingår i: European Physical Journal A. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1434-6001 .- 1434-601X. ; 54
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The double-energy double-velocity (2E-2v) method allows assessing fission-fragment mass yields prior to and after prompt neutron emission with high resolution. It is, therefore, considered as a complementary technique to assess average prompt neutron multiplicity as a function of fragment properties. We have studied the intrinsic features of the 2E-2v method by means of event-wise generated fission-fragment data and found short-comings in the method itself as well as in some common practices of application. We find that the 2E-2v method leads to large deviations in the correlation between the prompt neutron multiplicity and pre-neutron mass, which deforms and exaggerates the so-called “sawtooth” shape of nubar(A). We have identified the treatment of prompt neutron emission from the fragments as the origin of the problem. The intrinsic nature of this deficiency risks to render 2E-2v experiments less interesting. We suggest a method to correct 2E-2v data that can even be applied on existing measurements.
|
|
| 2. |
- Al-Adili, Ali, et al.
(författare)
-
Isomer yields in nuclear fission
- 2021
-
Ingår i: EPJ Web of Conferences. - : EDP Sciences. - 2100-014X. ; 256
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The generation of angular momentum in the fission process is still an open question. To shed light on this topic, we started a series of measurements at the IGISOL-JYFLTRAP facility in Finland. Highprecision measurements of isomeric yield ratios (IYR) are performed with a Penning trap, partly with the aim to extract average root-mean-square (rms) quantities of fragment spin distributions. The newly installed Phase-Imaging Ion-Cyclotron Resonance (PI-ICR) technique allows the separation of masses down to tens of keV, which is suffcient to disentangle many isomers. In this paper, we first summarize the previous measurements on the neutron and proton-induced fission of uranium and thorium, e.g. the odd cadmium and indium isotopes (119 ≤ A ≤ 127). The measurements revealed systematic trends as function of mass number, which stimulated further exploration. A recent measurement was performed at IGISIOL and several new IYR data will soon be published, for the first time. Secondly, we employ the TALYS nuclear-reaction code to model one of the newly measured isomer yields. Detailed GEF and TALYS calculations are discussed for the fragment angular momentum distribution in 134I.
|
|
| 3. |
- Al-Adili, Ali, et al.
(författare)
-
Prompt fission neutron yields in thermal fission of U-235 and spontaneous fission of Cf-252
- 2020
-
Ingår i: Physical Review C. - : American Physical Society (APS). - 2469-9985 .- 2469-9993. ; 102:6
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: The sharing of excitation energy between the fission fragments is one of the key issues in studying nuclear fission. One way to address this is by studying prompt-fission neutron multiplicities as a function of other fission observables such as the mass, (nu) over bar (A). These are vital benchmark data for both fission and nuclear deexcitation models, putting constrains on the fragment excitation energy and hence on the competing prompt neutron/gamma-ray emission. Despite numerous detailed studies, recent measurements done at JRC-Geel with the SCINTIA array in the epithermal region show surprisingly strong discrepancies to earlier thermal fission data and the Wahl systematics. Purpose: The purpose was to perform measurements of the prompt-fission neutron multiplicity, as a function of fragment mass and total kinetic energy (TKE), in U-235(n(th), f) and Cf-252(sf), to verify and extend the SCINTIA results. Another goal was to validate the analysis methods, and prepare for planned investigations at excitation energies up to 5.5 MeV. Methods: The experiments were conducted at the former 7 MV Van de Graaff facility in JRC-Geel, using a Twin Frisch-Grid Ionization Chamber and two liquid scintillation detectors. A neutron beam with an average energy of 0.5 MeV was produced via the Li-7(p,n) reaction. The neutrons were thermalized by a 12 cm thick block of paraffin. Digital data acquisition systems were utilized. Comprehensive simulations were performed to verify the methodology and to investigate the role of the mass and energy resolution on measured (nu) over bar (A) and (nu) over bar (TKE) values. The simulation results also revealed that the partial derivative(nu) over bar/partial derivative A and partial derivative(TKE) over bar/partial derivative(nu) over bar are affected by the mass and energy resolution. However, the effect is small for the estimated resolutions of this work. Detailed Fluka simulations were performed to calculate the fraction of thermal neutron-induced fission, which was estimated to be about 98%. Results: The experimental results on (nu) over bar (A) are in good agreement with earlier data for Cf-252(sf). For U-235(n(th), f), the (nu) over bar (A) data is very similar to the data obtained with SCINTIA, and therefore we verify these disclosed discrepancies to earlier thermal data and to the Wahl evaluation. The experimental results on (nu) over bar (TKE) are also in agreement with the data at epithermal energies. For Cf-252(sf) a slope value of partial derivative(TKE) over bar/partial derivative(nu) over bar = (-12.9 f 0.2) MeV/n was obtained. For U-235(n(th), f) the value is (-12.0 +/- 0.1) MeV/n. Finally, the neutron spectrum in the center-of-mass system was derived and plotted as a function of fragment mass. Conclusions: This work clearly proves the lack of accurate correlation between fission fragment and neutron data even in the best-studied reactions. The new results highlight the need of a new evaluation of the prompt-fission multiplicity for U-225(n(th), f).
|
|
| 4. |
- Alcayne, V., et al.
(författare)
-
A Segmented Total Energy Detector (sTED) optimized for (n,ϒ) cross-section measurements at n_TOF EAR2
- 2024
-
Ingår i: Radiation Physics and Chemistry. - : Elsevier. - 0969-806X .- 1879-0895. ; 217
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The neutron time-of-flight facility n_TOF at CERN is a spallation source dedicated to measurements of neutroninduced reaction cross-sections of interest in nuclear technologies, astrophysics, and other applications. Since 2014, Experimental ARea 2 (EAR2) is operational and delivers a neutron fluence of similar to 4 center dot 10(7) neutrons per nominal proton pulse, which is similar to 50 times higher than the one of Experimental ARea 1 (EAR1) of similar to 8 center dot 10(5) neutrons per pulse. The high neutron flux at EAR2 results in high counting rates in the detectors that challenged the previously existing capture detection systems. For this reason, a Segmented Total Energy Detector (sTED) has been developed to overcome the limitations in the detector's response, by reducing the active volume per module and by using a photo-multiplier (PMT) optimized for high counting rates. This paper presents the main characteristics of the sTED, including energy and time resolution, response to gamma-rays, and provides as well details of the use of the Pulse Height Weighting Technique (PHWT) with this detector. The sTED has been validated to perform neutron-capture cross-section measurements in EAR2 in the neutron energy range from thermal up to at least 400 keV. The detector has already been successfully used in several measurements at n_TOF EAR2.
|
|
| 5. |
- Balibrea-Correa, J., et al.
(författare)
-
First measurement of the 94Nb(n,γ) cross section at the CERN n_TOF facility
- 2023
-
Ingår i: EPJ Web of Conferences. - : EDP Sciences. - 2100-014X. ; 279
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- One of the crucial ingredients for the improvement of stellar models is the accurate knowledge of neutron capture cross-sections for the different isotopes involved in the s-,r- and i- processes. These measurements can shed light on existing discrepancies between observed and predicted isotopic abundances and help to constrain the physical conditions where these reactions take place along different stages of stellar evolution.In the particular case of the radioactive 94Nb, the 94Nb(n,γ) cross-section could play a role in the determination of the s-process production of 94Mo in AGB stars, which presently cannot be reproduced by state-of-the-art stellar models. There are no previous 94Nb(n,γ) experimental data for the resolved and unresolved resonance regions mainly due to the difficulties in producing highquality samples and also due to limitations in conventional detection systems commonly used in time-of-flight experiments.Motivated by this situation, a first measurement of the 94Nb(n,γ) reaction was carried out at CERN n_TOF, thereby exploiting the high luminosity of the EAR2 area in combination with a new detection system of small-volume C6D6-detectors and a high quality 94Nb-sample. The latter was based on hyper-pure 93Nb material activated at the high-flux reactor of ILL-Grenoble. An innovative ring-configuration detection system in close geometry around the capture sample allowed us to significantly enhance the signal-to-background ratio. This set-up was supplemented with two conventional C6D6-detectors and a highresolution LaCl3(Ce)-detector, which will be employed for addressing reliably systematic effects and uncertainties.At the current status of the data analysis, 18 resonance in 94Nb+n have been observed for the first time in the neutron energy range from thermal up to 10 keV.
|
|
| 6. |
- Cannarozzo, Simone, et al.
(författare)
-
Global comparison between experimentally measured isomeric yield ratios and nuclear model calculations
- 2023
-
Ingår i: European Physical Journal A. - : Springer. - 1434-6001 .- 1434-601X. ; 59:12
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The level density steers transition probabilities between different states in the decay and de-excitation of excited nuclei. Reliable level density modelling is, therefore, key in describing, e.g., de-excitation of fission fragments, with implications on neutron and gamma-rays multiplicities, and also manifested in the population of isomeric states. We test six currently used level density models and the spin distribution in the level density by comparing calculations with measured isomeric yield ratios. The model calculations are performed with the TALYS code and experimental data for nuclear reactions populating spin isomers are retrieved from the EXFOR database. On average, calculations are in agreement with measured data. However, we find that the population of the high-spin state in an isomeric pair is clearly favoured in all of the six studied level density models. Further studies are then performed on the three used phenomenological level density models, to investigate the significance of their effect. We find that a significant reduction of the spin width distribution improves the agreement between calculated and experimentally observed isomeric yield ratios. This result is independent of the incident particle in the nuclear reaction. The needed reduction of the spin width distribution to comply with empirical data has, e.g., implications for studies in angular momentum generation in fission using isomeric yield rations, calculations of anti-neutrino spectra from nuclear reactors, as well as neutron and gamma-ray multiplicities in nuclear reactor calculations.
|
|
| 7. |
- Domingo-Pardo, C., et al.
(författare)
-
Advances and new ideas for neutron-capture astrophysics experiments at CERN n_TOF
- 2023
-
Ingår i: European Physical Journal A. - : Springer. - 1434-6001 .- 1434-601X. ; 59:1
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This article presents a few selected developments and future ideas related to the measurement of (n,γ) data of astrophysical interest at CERN n_TOF. The MC-aided analysis methodology for the use of low-efficiency radiation detectors in time-of-flight neutron-capture measurements is discussed, with particular emphasis on the systematic accuracy. Several recent instrumental advances are also presented, such as the development of total-energy detectors with γ-ray imaging capability for background suppression, and the development of an array of small-volume organic scintillators aimed at exploiting the high instantaneous neutron-flux of EAR2. Finally, astrophysics prospects related to the intermediate i neutron-capture process of nucleosynthesis are discussed in the context of the new NEAR activation area.
|
|
| 8. |
- Domingo-Pardo, C., et al.
(författare)
-
The neutron time-of-flight facility n_TOF at CERN Recent facility upgrades and detector developments
- 2023
-
Ingår i: Journal of Physics, Conference Series. - : Institute of Physics (IOP). - 1742-6588 .- 1742-6596. ; 2586
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Based on an idea by Carlo Rubbia, the n_TOF facility at CERN has been operating for over 20 years. It is a neutron spallation source, driven by the 20 GeV/c proton beam from the CERN PS accelerator. Neutrons in a very wide energy range (from GeV, down to sub-eV kinetic energy) are generated by a massive Lead spallation target feeding two experimental areas. EAR1, horizonal with respect to the proton beam direction is set at 185 meters from the spallation target. EAR2, on the vertical line from the spallation source, is placed at 20 m. Neutron energies for experiments are selected by the time-of-flight technique (hence the name n_TOF), while the long flight paths ensure a very good energy resolution. Over one hundred experiments have been performed by the n_TOF Collaboration at CERN, with applications ranging from nuclear astrophysics (synthesis of the heavy elements in stars, big bang nucleosynthesis, nuclear cosmo-chronology), to advanced nuclear technologies (nuclear data for applications, nuclear safety), as well as for basic nuclear science (reaction mechanisms, structure and decay of highly excited compound states). During the planned shutdown of the CERN accelerator complex between 2019 and 2021, the facility went through a substantial upgrade with a new target-moderator assembly, refurbishing of the neutron beam lines and experimental areas. An additional measuring and irradiation station (the NEAR Station) has been envisaged and its capabilities for performing material test studies and new physics opportunities are presently explored. An overview of the facility and of the activities performed at CERN is presented in this contribution, with a particular emphasis on the most relevant experiments for nuclear astrophysics.
|
|
| 9. |
- Gao, Zhihao, et al.
(författare)
-
Applying machine learning methods for the analysis of two-dimensional mass spectra
- 2023
-
Ingår i: European Physical Journal A. - : Springer Nature. - 1434-6001 .- 1434-601X. ; 59:169
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In a measurement of isomeric yield-ratios in fission, the Phase-Imaging Ion-Cyclotron-Resonance technique, which projects the radial motions of ions in the Penning trap (JYFLTRAP) onto a position-sensitive micro-channel plate detector, has been applied. To obtain the yield ratio, that is the relative population of two states of an isomer pair, a novel analysis procedure has been developed to determine the number of detected ions in each state, as well as corrections for the detector efficiency and decay losses. In order to determine the population of the states in cases where their mass difference is too small to reach full separation, a Bayesian Gaussian Mixture model was implemented. The position-dependent efficiency of the micro-channel plate detector was calibrated by mapping it with 133Cs+ ions, and a Gaussian Process was trained with the position data to construct an efficiency function that could be used to correct the recorded distributions. The obtained numbers of counts of excited and ground-state ions were used to derive the isomeric yield ratio, taking into account decay losses as well as feeding from precursors.
|
|
| 10. |
- Gao, Zhihao, et al.
(författare)
-
Benchmark of a multi-physics Monte Carlo simulation of an ionguide for neutron-induced fission products
- 2022
-
Ingår i: European Physical Journal. - : Springer Nature. - 1286-0042 .- 1286-0050. ; 58:2
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- To enhance the production of medium-heavy,neutron-rich nuclei, and to facilitate measurements of independentyields of neutron-induced fission, a proton-toneutronconverter and a dedicated ion guide for neutroninducedfission have been developed for the IGISOL facilityat the University of Jyväskylä. The ion guide holds thefissionable targets, and the fission products emerging fromthe targets are collected in helium gas and transported to thedownstream experimental stations.Acomputer model, basedon a combination of MCNPX for modeling the neutron production,the fission code GEF, and GEANT4 for the transportof the fission products, was developed. The model willbe used to improve the setup with respect to the productionand collection of fission products. In this paper we benchmarkthe model by comparing simulations to a measurementin which fission products were implanted in foils located atdifferent positions in the ion guide. In addition, the productsfrom neutron activation in the titanium foil and the uraniumtargets are studied. The result suggests that the neutron fluxat the high-energy part of the neutron spectrum is overestimatedby approximately 40%.However, the transportation offission products in the uranium targets agrees with the experimentwithin 10%. Furthermore, the simulated transportationof fission products in the helium gas achieves almost perfectagreement with the measurement. Hence, we conclude thatthe model, after correction for the neutron flux, is well suitedfor optimization studies of future ion guide designs.
|
|
