Tests of the space gamma spectrometer prototype at the JINR experimental facility with different types of neutron generators

The results of the tests of the HPGe gamma spectrometer performed with a planetary soil model and different types of pulse neutron generators are presented. All measurements have been performed at the experimental nuclear planetary science facility (Joint Institute for Nuclear Research) for the physical calibration of active gamma and neutron spectrometers. The aim of the study is to model a space experiment on determining the elemental composition of Martian planetary matter by neutron-induced gamma spectroscopy. The advantages and disadvantages of a gas-filled neutron generator in comparison with a vacuum-tube neutron generator are examined.     

Initial years' neutron-induced cross-section measurements at the CSNS Back-n white neutron source

The Back-n white neutron source(known as Back-n) is based on back-streaming neutrons from the spallation target at the China Spallation Neutron Source(CSNS).With its excellent beam properties,e.g.,a neutron flux of approximately 1.8×10~7 n/cm~2/s at 55 m from the spallation target,energy range spanning from 0.5 eV to 200 MeV,and time-of-flight resolution of a few per thousand,along with the equipped physical spectrometers,Back-n is considered to be among the best facilities in the world for carrying out nuclear data measurements.Since its completion and commencement of operation in May 2018,five types of cross-section measurements concerning neutron capture cross-sections,fission cross-sections,total cross-sections,light charged particle emissions,in-beam gamma spectra,and more than forty nuclides have been measured.This article presents an overview of the experimental setup and result analysis on the neutron-induced cross-section measurements and gamma spectroscopy at Back-n in the initial years.     

Test facility for nuclear planetology instruments

An experimental facility for testing and calibrating nuclear planetology instruments has been constructed in partnership between the Space Research Institute (Moscow) and the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research. A model of Martian soil with a size of 3.82 × 3.21 m² and an overall mass of about 30 t is assembled from silicate glass. Glass is chosen in order to imitate absolutely dry soil close in composition to the Martian one. The heterogeneous model allows one to imitate the average elemental composition of Martian soil in the best possible way by adding layers of the necessary materials to it. Near-surface water ice is simulated by polyethylene layers buried at different depths within the glass model. A portable neutron generator is used as the neutron source for testing active neutron and gamma spectrometers. The facility is radiation-hazardous and is thus equipped with interlock and radiation monitoring systems in accordance with the effective regulations.     

基于10B4C转换体的多层多丝正比室中子探测器模拟

随着国内高通量中子源及中子散射谱仪的快速发展,对高探测效率、高位置分辨、低伽玛灵敏度的位置灵敏型热中子探测器需求日益迫切。目前国际上中子散射谱仪大多数采用了基于3He的热中子探测器,由于当前3He价格昂贵,寻求3He替代型热中子探测器的相关研究任务紧迫。提出了一种基于10B₄C转换体的多层多丝正比室新型二维位置灵敏型热中子探测器,并利用蒙特卡罗模拟软件Geant4和Garfield++对其探测效率、位置分辨、n/γ抑制比等性能展开了详细的模拟研究。结果表明,当多丝正比室单元为40层,阈值为200 keV时,热中子（E=0.025 eV）探测效率可达到~54%,位置分辨为2.6 mm （FWHM）,n/γ抑制比为~107,可以满足大多数中子散射谱仪的需求,为此类探测器设计及实验研究提供了理论依据。As the development of high flux neutron sources and neutron scattering spectrometers in China, more and more neutron detectors with high detection efficiency, high position resolution, high time resolution and low gamma sensitivity are need ungently. 3He based neutron detector is one of the best options. Recently, because of the 3He gas shortage and its expensive price, we must find a new replacement of 3He. A two-dimensional position sensitive neutron detector based on multi-layer Multi Wires Proportional Chambers (mMWPC) with 10B₄C converter was proposed in this paper. The neutron detection efficiency, position resolution and γ compression were simulated with Geant4 and Garfield++. The results show that with 40 layers of neutron convertor, high themal neutron (E=0.025 eV) detection of~54%, best position resolution of 2.6 mm (FWHM) and high n/γ rejection ratio of~107 with the threshold of 200 keV can be achieved, which can meet the requirements of most spectrometers. This simulation results lay a good foundation for the next step of detector construction and test.     

Effect of the size of experimental channels of the lead slowing-down spectrometer SVZ-100 (Institute for Nuclear Research, Moscow) on the moderation constant

Lead slowing-down (LSD) spectrometers have a low energy resolution (about 30%), but their luminosity is 10³ to 10⁴ times higher than that of time-of-flight (TOF) spectrometers. A high luminosity of LSD spectrometers makes it possible to use them to measure neutron cross section for samples of mass about several micrograms. These features specify a niche for the application of LSD spectrometers in measuring neutron cross sections for elements hardly available in macroscopic amounts—in particular, for actinides. A mathematical simulation of the parameters of SVZ-100 LSD spectrometer of the Institute for Nuclear Research (INR, Moscow) is performed in the present study on the basis of the MCNPX code. It is found that the moderation constant, which is the main parameter of LSD spectrometers, is highly sensitive to the size and shape of detecting volumes in calculations and, hence, to the real size of experimental channels of the LSD spectrometer.     

中子引起的α粒子发射DDX数据测量进展

从实验的角度对目前国际上测量中子引起的α粒子发射双微分截面的主要研究小组的工作和所使用的两种主要测量谱仪进行了评述．对现阶段的实验进展以及发展趋势作了探讨． The main experimental groups in the world for measuring double-differential cross sections (DDX) of α-particles emission induced by neutron and two kinds of main spectrometers used are reviewed in the point of experimental view. Progress on experimental measurement of DDX in present stage is compared and development trend in future is discussed.     

Data acquisition and instrument control system for neutron spectrometers

A personal computer (PC)-based data acquisition and instrument control system has been developed for neutron spectrometers in Dhruva reactor hall and Guide Tube laboratory. Efforts have been made to make the system versatile so that it can be used for controlling various neutron spectrometers using single end-on detector in step scan mode. Commercially available PC add-on cards have been used for input-output and timer-counter operations. An interface card and DC motor driver card have been developed indigenously. Software for the system has been written in Visual C++ language using MS Windows operating system. This data acquisition and instrument control system is successfully controlling four spectrometers at Dhruva reactor.     

Synergistic effects of neutron and gamma ray irradiation of commercial CHMOS microcontroller

This paper presents the experimental results of a combined irradiation environment of neutron and gamma rays on 80C196KC20, which is a 16-bit high performance member of the MCS96 microcontroller family. The electrical and functional tests were made in three irradiation environments: neutron, gamma rays, combined irradiation of neutron and gamma rays. The experimental results show that the neutron irradiation can affect the total ionizing dose behaviour. Compared with the single radiation environment, the microcontroller exhibits considerably more severe degradation in neutron and gamma ray synergistic irradiation. This phenomenon may cause a significant hardness assurance problem.     

Current status of advanced pelletized cold moderators development for IBR-2M research reactor

The world’s first advanced pelletized cold neutron moderator is prepared to be put into operation at the IBR-2M pulsed research reactor. It provides long-wavelength neutrons to the most of neutron spectrometers at the beams of the IBR-2M reactor. Aromatic hydrocarbons are used as a material for cold moderators. It is a very attractive material because of its high radiation resistance, good moderating properties, incombustibility, etc. It is shown that the idea of beads transport by a helium flow at cryogenic temperatures is successful. The recent progress and plans for moderator development at the IBR-2M reactor as well as the experimental results of beads transport are discussed in the paper.     

Synergistic effects of neutron and gamma ray irradiation of a commercial CHMOS microcontroller

This paper presents the experimental results of a combined irradiation environment of neutron and gamma rays on 80C196KC20,which is a 16-bit high performance member of the MCS96 microcontroller family.The electrical and functional tests were made in three irradiation environments:neutron,gamma rays,combined irradiation of neutron and gamma rays.The experimental results show that the neutron irradiation can affect the total ionizing dose behaviour.Compared with the single radiation environment,the microcontroller exhibits considerably more severe degradation in neutron and gamma ray synergistic irradiation.This phenomenon may cause a significant hardness assurance problem.     

The decay of75Ga to levels in75Ge

The decay of⁷⁵Ga has been investigated with Ge(Li) spectrometers. Energy and intensity determinations for 37 gamma rays have been performed. A level scheme for⁷⁵Ge was deduced, where 31 gamma transitions could be placed. Beta branch intensities were estimated from the measured gamma intensities. Spin and parity assignments for most of the levels were made in agreement with reaction and neutron capture studies. Half life of⁷⁵Ga was measured to be (130±6) sec and that of the 139.3 keV isomeric state in⁷⁵Ge to be (47.7±0.5) sec.     

A study on the decay of81As

The decay of⁸¹As was investigated with Ge(Li) spectrometers. Accurate energy and intensity determinations for 29 gamma rays have been performed, from which a level scheme was deduced for⁸¹Se. Beta component intensities were obtained from the measured gamma intensities. Spin and parity assignments for most of the levels were made in agreement with the reaction and neutron capture studies. The half life of⁸¹As is measured to be (35.8±1.6) sec. Shell model calculations as well as unified model calculations have been performed in order to study the level scheme of⁸¹Se.     

Recent neutron scattering research and development in India

A national facility for neutron beam research is operated at the research reactor Dhruva at Trombay in India. The research activities involve various nanoscale structural, dynamical and magnetic investigations on materials of scientific interest and technological importance. Thermal neutron has certain special properties that enable, e.g., selective viewing of parts of an organic molecule, hydrogen or water in materials, investigations on minerals and ceramics, and microscopic and mesoscopic characterization of bulk samples. The national facility comprises of eight neutron-scattering spectrometers in the reactor hall, and another four spectrometers in the neutron-guide laboratory. In addition, a neutron radiography facility and a detector development laboratory are located at APSARA reactor. All the instruments including the detectors and electronics have been developed within BARC. A new powder diffractometer (PD-3) is being developed by UGC-DAE-CSR. The national facility is utilized in collaboration with various universities and other institutions.     

High-energy neutron spectrometry

We review progress made in the last quarter of a century in the field of neutron spectrometry over a wide energy range from ??1 MeV to a few tens of GeV. We consider spectrometers and detectors constructed in various laboratories for neutron measurements in numerous fundamental and applied studies. We discuss the results of works devoted to the development of experimental methods and the elaboration of new detectors. We pursue some promising avenues of further investigations.     

Der Zerfall des95Sr

The nuclide⁹⁵Sr was isolated by chemical separation methods after thermal neutron induced fission of²³⁵U. It's decay properties were investigated employing semiconductor spectrometers and coincidence techniques. A half-life of 24.4±0.2 sec was found. Out of 29 gamma rays, 25 transitions representing 97% of the observed gamma-ray intensity were placed in a decay scheme comprising 19 excited states of⁹⁵Y.     

Vibrational analysis of L-serine using the density functional theory

In this paper, we present a computational study of L-serine using ab initio molecular dynamics simulation based on density functional theory (DFT) within the ultrasoft pseudopotentials and generalized-gradient approximation. Taking into account the intermolecular interactions, we can indeed simulate the features of the experimental results very well for L-serine zwitterions in its solid state. The vibrational spectrum of L-serine performed by DFT was in excellent agreement with our previous inelastic incoherent neutron scattering spectra measured at 20K for L-serine in the 10--200meV region on HET spectrometers at ISIS, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory.     

Measurements of the Cross-sections of Produced Short-Lived Nuclei Induced by Neutrons around 14 MeV on Isotopes of Tungsten

New experimental cross-section data for the180 W(n,2 n)179 mW,186 W(n,2 n)185 mW and186 W(n,p)186 Ta reactions at the neutron energies of 13.5 and 14.4 MeV are obtained by the activation technique. The neutron beams are produced by means of the3 H(d,n)4 He reaction. The gamma activities of the product nuclei are measured by a high-resolution gamma-ray spectrometer with a coaxial high-purity germanium detector. The neutron fluence is determined using the monitor reaction93 Nb(n,2 n)92 mNb. The results in the current work are discussed and compared with the measurement results found in the literature. It is shown that these higher accuracy experimental cross-section data around the neutron energy of 14 MeV agree with some previous experimental values from the literature within experimental uncertainties.     

DESCANT – the deuterated scintillator array for neutron tagging

The DESCANT array is a new device for neutron detection based on deuterated liquid scintillator. It has been designed to be coupled with the TIGRESS and GRIFFIN γ-ray spectrometers to enable neutron tagging in fusion-evaporation reactions, and β-delayed neutron studies.     

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