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Gooden, M. E.

Publications and source records attributed to Gooden, M. E..

Erratum: Monoenergetic photon-induced fission cross-section ratio measurements for U 235 , U 238 , and Pu 239 from 9.0 to 17.0 MeV

In this erratum we report a correction to the previously published photofission cross-section ratio data. The actinide fission-chamber foils utilized in this work were extensively characterized during a new campaign using α- and γ-ray spectroscopy, and 2π alpha counting. These three techniques agreed, resulting in an improved accuracy of the fission-chamber foil masses used in the original experiment. The foil masses measured by α spectroscopy are detailed in Table I. All foils were counted on the same α spectrometer, using an identical geometry, which reduces the systematic uncertainty in the calculated mass ratios since the α spectrometer efficiency cancels out in the ratio. This results in a relative uncertainty on the mass ratio of 1.0% for 235 U/ 238 U, 0.62% for 239 Pu/ 235 U, and 1.1% for 239 Pu/ 238 U. The published cross-section ratio data are re-calculated to reflect the updated target masses and uncertainties. The new mass values cause a 2.40% decrease for the σ( 235 U(γ, f)/ 238 U(γ, f)) ratio, a 5.10% decrease for the σ( 235 U(γ, f)/ 239 Pu(γ, f)) ratio, and a 2.77% decrease for the σ( 238 U(γ, f)/ 239 Pu(γ, f)) ratio. The updated cross-section ratios are presented in Tables II, III, and IV, which are corrected versions of Tables III, IV, and V in Ref. [1]

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

First measurement of the 10B(α,n)13N reaction in an inertial confinement fusion implosion at the National Ignition Facility: Initial steps toward the development of a radiochemistry mix diagnostic

We report the first measurement of the 10B(α,n)13N reaction in a polar-direct-drive exploding pusher (PDXP) at the National Ignition Facility (NIF). This work is motivated by the need to develop alternative mix diagnostics, radiochemistry being the focus here. The target is composed of a 65/35 at. % deuterium–tritium (DT) fill surrounded by a roughly 30 μm thick beryllium ablator. The inner portion of the beryllium ablator is doped with 10 at. % of 10B. Radiation-hydrodynamics calculations were performed in 1D to optimize both the remaining boron rho-R and the DT neutron yield. A charged-particle transport post-processor has been developed to study α-induced reactions on the ablator material. Results indicate a large 13N production from α-induced reactions on 10B, measurable by the radiochemical analysis of a gaseous samples system at the NIF. The PDXP target N201115-001 was successfully fielded on the NIF, and nitrogen from the 10B(α,n)13N reaction was measured. The 13N production yield, as well as the DT neutron yield, was, however, lower than expected. Some of the reduced yields can be explained by the oblate shape, but the ratios of the various radiochemical signals are not commensurate with expectations based on a simple reduction of the 1D results. Preliminary 2D radiation-hydrodynamics computations are consistent with the experimental measurements, and work is ongoing to extend the radiochemistry analysis into higher dimensions.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Development of a rapid-transit system for precision nuclear physics measurements

A Rapid Belt-driven Irradiated Target Transfer System, named RABITTS, was developed for use at the Triangle Universities Nuclear Laboratory. This system allows for cyclic activation with neutron or photon beams, and measurement of reaction products using γ-ray spectroscopy. Both a 1 meter and 10 meter transfer system have been developed with transit times as low as 0.4 and 1.0 seconds, respectively. The systems are deployed at the tandem accelerator laboratory for use with monoenergetic neutron beams, and at the High-Intensity γ-ray Source facility for activation using photon beams. A detailed characterization of the systems’ performance and sensitivity is presented. In order to produce the highest accuracy cross-section data, a model for calculating corrections to cyclic activation with variable beam flux is developed and presented. We have commissioned these systems by measuring 197m Au, where we report a measured half-life of 7.73 ± 0.05 s and a 197 Au(n, n') 197m Au isomer production cross of 628 ± 28 mb at neutron energy E n = 2.0 MeV. In addition, we measured 90m Zr, where we report a measured half-life of 799.7 ± 8.0 ms and a 90 Zr(n, n') 90m Zr isomer production cross of 180 ± 12 mb at E n = 4.6 MeV. Furthermore, these measured half-lives are in excellent agreement with the evaluated values and the cross-section measurements are performed at previously unmeasured incident neutron energies.

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEA↗

Plasma stopping-power measurements reveal transition from non-degenerate to degenerate plasmas

Physically realized electron gas systems usually reside in either the quantum non-degenerate or fully degenerate limit, where the average de Broglie wavelength of the thermal electrons becomes comparable with the interparticle distance between electrons. A few systems, such as young brown dwarfs and the cold dense fuels created in imploded cryogenic capsules at the National Ignition Facility, lie between these two limits and are partially degenerate. The National Ignition Facility has the unique capability of varying the electron quantum degeneracy by adjusting the laser drive used to implode the capsules. This allows experimental studies of the effects of the degeneracy level on plasma transport properties. By measuring rare nuclear reactions in these cold dense fuels, we show that the electron stopping power, which is the rate of energy loss per unit distance travelled by a charged particle, changes with increasing electron density. We observe a quantum-induced shift in the peak of the stopping power using diagnostics that measure above and below this peak. The observed changes in the stopping power are shown to be unique to the transition region between non-degenerate and degenerate plasmas. Furthermore, our results support the screening models applied to partially degenerate astrophysical systems such as young brown dwarfs.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗