Gross properties of delayed neutron spectra

Envelopes of energy spectra of delayed neutrons from 8 precursors are calculated, taking into account transitions to excited states in the final nuclei. Theoretical branching ratios to these states are presented and compared with the few observed data available.     

Detailed structure of delayed neutron spectra

Theoretical pulse-height spectra for delayed neutrons from 10 precursors are calculated using a Monte Carlo method based on a statistical model. The theoretical spectra are compared with experimental spectra, and rough values for the level density parameters of some of the neutron emitters are suggested.     

Sound propagation in fluids and neutron spectra

Using a model kinetic equation the properties of very short wavelength sound modes in fluids are studied over a wide range of wavenumbers and densities. The main features, in particular propagation gaps at high densities, agree with those found in real fluids and molecular dynamics simulations.     

Asymptotic behavior of neutron small-angle multiple scattering spectra

The asymptotic behavior of the spectra for large values of the scattering vector for the case of elastic multiple small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) is investigated theoretically and experimentally. An expansion of the spectrum in terms of the reciprocal of the magnitude of the momentum transfer is obtained taking account of the influence of the instrumental line. It is shown that, to within some factor, the leading term of the expansion is identical to the differential single-scattering cross section averaged over a statistical ensemble of particles; several subsequent terms in the expansion are calculated and the range of applicability of the resulting expressions is determined. The asymptotic behavior of the multiple SANS spectrum is measured, using a two-crystal neutron spectrometer, for samples of an HTSC ceramic, the alloy Fe-Ni, and Al powder. The agreement between the experimental results and the theoretical predictions is analyzed. Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 114, 2194–2203 (December 1998)     

Measurement of inclusive neutron spectra at the ISR

With a total absorption counter, inclusive neutron spectra have been measured at four ISR energies and at angles of 20, 66 and 119 mrad. The spectra show scaling behavior in the variables x and p⊥. Pion exchange is found to be important at large x values.     

Non-statistical effects in neutron capture γ-ray spectra

A search for non-statistical effects in γ-ray spectra following neutron capture has been made for incident neutron energies in the range 40 keV to 1 MeV. The experiments were performed using a 20 cm × 15 cm Nal detector; thirty elements ranging from calcium to uranium were examined. Marked non-statistical effects were found in the spectra from elements in the mass regions where the 3s, 3p and 4s neutron strength functions maximize. Results from the first two regions could often be explained in terms of enhanced transition strengths to final states with a strong single-particle nature.     

Prompt neutron emission spectra and multiplicities in the thermal neutron induced fission of235U

The emission spectra of prompt fission neutrons from mass and kinetic energy selected fission fragments have been measured in²³⁵U(n _th,f). Neutron energies were determined from the measurement of the neutron time of flight using a NE213 scintillation detector. The fragment energies were measured by a pair of surface barrier detectors in one set of measurements and by a back-to-back gridded ionization chamber in the second set of measurements. The data were analysed event by event to deduce neutron energy in the rest frame of the emitting fragment for the determination of neutron emission spectra and multiplicities as a function of the fragment mass and total kinetic energy. The results are compared with statistical model calculations using shell and excitation energy dependent level density formulations to deduce the level density parameters of the neutron rich fragment nuclei over a large range of fragment masses.     

Prompt fission neutron spectra of U above emissive fission threshold

Statistical model calculations of prompt fission neutron spectra (PFNS) from ²³⁵U(n,F) reaction were performed for incident neutron energies up to E_n20 MeV. Exclusive spectra of the pre-fission (pre-saddle) (n,xnf) reaction neutrons, were calculated with Hauser–Feshbach statistical model, fission and (n,xn) reaction cross section data being described consistently. Spectra of neutrons, evaporated from the fission fragments, were approximated as a sum of two Watt distributions. The reduced neutron velocity in the center-of-mass system due to the neutron emission during fragment acceleration was assumed. PFNS component due to pre-saddle neutrons is evidenced in the shape of the measured PFNS data. We show it to be strongly correlated with the emissive fission contributions to the observed fission cross sections.     

D-T中子与平板型聚乙烯材料作用的次级中子角度谱实验研究

基于反冲质子法建立了一种测量D-T中子与平板型宏观样品作用的次级中子角度谱的实验方法.为保证探测器的能量线性并在较低的中子有效测量下阈(0.5 MeV)情况下获得好的中子-伽马射线甄别性能,采用高、低能段分别测量的方法.采用事件记录法,同时记录了次级中子和伴随伽马射线的脉冲形状甄别和脉冲幅度二维信息,利用基于ROOT数据分析平台编写的离线数据分析程序,完成了伴随伽马射线的挑选和扣除,以及高、低两能段反冲质子谱的拼接,并成功的将神经网络技术应用于中子能谱的解谱,获得了D-T中子与9和18 cm厚平板型聚乙烯材料作用的0.5-15 MeV的次级中子角度谱实验结果.实验模型的MC模拟由MCNP5完成,数据库采用ENDF-VI,实验结果和MC计算结果在实验不确定度范围内一致. 关键词： D-T中子 积分中子学 反冲质子法 次级中子能谱     

Preliminary investigations of Monte Carlo simulations of neutron energy and let spectra for fast neutron therapy facilities

No fast neutron therapy facility has been built with optimized beam quality based on a thorough understanding of the neutron spectrum and its resulting biological effectiveness. A study has been initiated to provide the information necessary for such an optimization. Monte Carlo studies will be used to simulate neutron energy spectra and LET spectra. These studies will be bench-marked with data taken at existing fast neutron therapy facilities. Results will also be compared with radiobiological studies to further support beam quality optimization. These simulations, anchored by this data, will then be used to determine what parameters might be optimized to take full advantage of the unique LET properties of fast neutron beams.This paper will present preliminary work in generating energy and LET spectra for the Fermilab fast neutron therapy facility.     

Development of methods for processing spectra of multiple small-angle neutron scattering

A method has been developed for processing spectra of multiple small-angle neutron scattering (MSANS) to obtain information about substance heterogeneities, namely, their size and concentration. A method has been proposed for constructing the dependence of the MSANS line width on the sample thickness starting from the angular neutron distribution measured for one sample. The standard method for processing this dependence has been improved for application at any scattering multiplicity and complete account for the instrumental line of the double-crystal spectrometer. The method has been tested for the MSANS spectra of the samples of the Fe-Ni ferromagnet, Al powders, and HTSC ceramics.     

Modeling of spectral features in the dynamic spectra of neutron stars

Modeling of atomic and cyclotron lines in the emergent spectra of rotating neutron stars with various distributions of temperature over the star surface is carried out. General and special relativity effects are taken into account in the radiation transfer calculations. A novel method of analysis based on the Fourier series expansion of the observed spectra over rotation frequencies is proposed. It is shown that the mutual influence of the gravitational bending of light rays and rotation of the star leads to the formation of strong features (sometimes several features at once) in the Fourier-harmonic spectrum, whereas these features remain almost invisible in both the integrated and dynamic spectra. Possible application of the obtained results to the interpretation of absorption features in the spectrum of the single neutron star 1E 1207.4 − 5209 is discussed.     

Optical vibronic absorption spectra in 14.8 MeV neutron damaged sapphire

Preliminary observations of several anisotropic optical absorption bands are reported for high-purity sapphire following exposure to a pure 14.8 MeV neutron beam. These bands are compared with and found to be similar to those reported following fission-spectrum exposure, and are associated with lattice displacement damage. Two of these bands at 3.47 and 4.09 eV show similar sharpline features at low temperature; this ≈200 cm^?1 vibronic progression it tentatively associated with a local mode.     

Russian measurements of neutron energy spectra on the Mir orbital station

Results of the experiments on neutron energy spectra measurements within broad energy range from 5 x 10(-7) to 2 x 10(2) MeV aboard the Mir orbital station and equivalent neutron dose estimation are presented. Four measurement techniques were used during the experiments. The shape of spectra and their absolute values are in good agreement. According to those experiments, an equivalent neutron dose depends upon effective shielding thickness and spacecraft mass. The neutron dose mentioned is comparable with that of ionizing radiation. Neutron flux levels measured aboard the Mir station have shown that a neutron spectrometer involving broad energy range will be used within the radiation monitoring systems in manned space flights.     

The effects of shielding around the source on neutron energy spectra

The knowledge of neutron energy spectra contributes to unambiguous identification of neutron sources in the fields of nuclear safeguards and nuclear non-proliferation. Since a real scenario situation includes the presence of shielding around the source, we have investigated the influence of the potential shielding surrounding the source on the shape of energy spectra for a few neutron sources. We have applied the maximum-likelihood, expectation–maximisation (MLEM) method with one-step-late (OSL) algorithm for neutron spectra unfolding. The pulse height distributions used in the unfolding procedures were simulated with the high accuracy by using the MCNP-PoliMi code based on the Monte Carlo method. A possibility to identify the shielded neutron sources by using the unfolding method was examined with two continuous-in-energy sources, such as ²⁵²Cf and ²⁴¹Am–Be in source-shielding configurations with lead (Pb) and polyethylene (PE) blocks. The results of calculations have shown that the identification of ²⁵²Cf and ²⁴¹Am–Be sources with 2.5 cm of Pb and PE shield can be achieved successfully by using the MLEM method with the OSL algorithm. However, the unfolded results for ²⁵²Cf and ²⁴¹Am–Be sources with 10 cm of PE shield significantly deviate from the reference spectra and the sources cannot be correctly identified on the basis of their unfolded energy spectra.     

Influence of neutron and heavy-ion irradiation on EPR spectra of CuGeO3

The influence of neutron and heavy-ion irradiation on the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of the spin-Peierls compound CuGeO₃ has been investigated in the wide temperature range of 2–300 K. It is found that the neutron irradiation leads to a decrease of the spin-Peierls transition temperature and induces appreciable changes in the EPR signal intensity, resonance line width andg-factor of this material. These changes may be associated with a partial suppression of both the energy gap and dimerization within the Cu chains due to the irradiation-induced changes in the topological and chemical short-range order. In contrast to this, the heavy-ion irradiation induces only an increase in the intensity of the EPR signal and does not produce appreciable changes in the resonance line width,g-factor and spin-Peierls transition temperature. The experimental results show a large increase in the Curie-Weiss component and complete suppression of the spin-Peierls transition for higher irradiation doses.