Engineering topics

Rusev, Gencho Yordanov

Publications and source records attributed to Rusev, Gencho Yordanov.

6 records

DOE OSTI2017

Correlated fission data measurements with DANCE and NEUANCE

To enhance the capabilities of the DANCE array, a new detector array NEUANCE was developed to enable simultaneous measurements of prompt fission neutrons and γ rays. NEUANCE was designed and constructed using 21 stilbene organic scintillator crystals. It was installed in the central cavity of the DANCE array. Signals from the 160 BaF 2 detectors of DANCE and the 21 detectors of NEUANCE were merged into a newly designed high-density high-throughput data acquisition system. The excellent pulse shape discrimination properties of stilbene enabled detection of neutrons with energy thresholds as low as 30–40 keVee. A fission reaction tagging method was developed using a NEUANCE γ-ray or neutron signal. The probability of detecting a neutron from the spontaneous fission of 252 Cf using NEUANCE is 47%. New correlated data for prompt fission neutrons and prompt fission rays were obtained for 252 Cf using this high detection efficiency experimental setup. In conclusion, average properties of prompt fission neutron emission as a function of prompt fission γ-ray quantities were also obtained, suggesting that neutron and γ-ray emission in fission are correlated.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

DOE OSTI2017

Radiative neutron capture cross section from U 236

In this study, the 236 U(n,γ) reaction cross section has been measured for the incident neutron energy range from 10 eV to 800 keV by using the Detector for Advanced Neutron Capture Experiments (DANCE) γ-ray calorimeter at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center. The cross section was determined with the ratio method, which is a technique that uses the 235 U(n,f) reaction as a reference. The results of the experiment are reported in the resolved and unresolved resonance energy regions. Individual neutron resonance parameters were obtained below 1 keV incident energy by using the R-matrix code sammy. The cross section in the unresolved resonance region is determined with improved experimental uncertainty. Lastly, it agrees with both ENDF/B-VII.1 and JEFF-3.2 nuclear data libraries. In conclusion, the results above 10 keV agree better with the JEFF-3.2 library.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2015

Fission-fragment detector for DANCE based on thin scintillating films

We report a fission-fragment detector based on thin scintillating films has been built to serve as a trigger/veto detector in neutron-induced fission measurements at DANCE. The fissile material is surrounded by scintillating films providing 4π detection of the fission fragments. The scintillation photons were registered with silicon photomultipliers. A measurement of the 235 U (n,f) reaction with this detector at DANCE revealed a correct time-of-flight spectrum and provided an estimate for the efficiency of the prototype detector of 11.6(7)%. Finally, design and test measurements with the detector are described.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2015

Development of a thin scintillation films fission-fragment detector and a novel neutron source

Here, investigation of prompt fission and neutron-capture Υ rays from fissile actinide samples at the Detector for Advanced Neutron Capture Experiments (DANCE) requires use of a fission-fragment detector to provide a trigger or a veto signal. A fission-fragment detector based on thin scintillating films and silicon photomultipliers has been built to serve as a trigger/veto detector in neutron-induced fission measurements at DANCE. The fissile material is surrounded by scintillating films providing a 4π detection of the fission fragments. The scintillations were registered with silicon photomultipliers. A measurement of the 235 U(n,f) reaction with this detector at DANCE revealed a correct time-of-flight spectrum and provided an estimate for the efficiency of the prototype detector of 11.6(7)%. Design and test measurements with the detector are described. A neutron source with fast timing has been built to help with detector-response measurements. The source is based on the neutron emission from the spontaneous fission of 252 Cf and the same type of scintillating films and silicon photomultipliers. Overall time resolution of the source is 0.3 ns. Design of the source and test measurements with it are described. An example application of the source for determining the neutron/gamma pulse-shape discrimination by a stilbene crystal is given.

42 ENGINEERING↗

DOE OSTI2015

System for detecting special nuclear materials

The present disclosure includes a radiological material detector having a convertor material that emits one or more photons in response to a capture of a neutron emitted by a radiological material; a photon detector arranged around the convertor material and that produces an electrical signal in response to a receipt of a photon; and a processor connected to the photon detector, the processor configured to determine the presence of a radiological material in response to a predetermined signature of the electrical signal produced at the photon detector. One or more detectors described herein can be integrated into a detection system that is suited for use in port monitoring, treaty compliance, and radiological material management activities.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

DOE OSTI2015

Prospects for a measurement of the 237 U(n,f) cross section at the LANSCE Lujan Center

A new measurement of the 237 U(n, f) cross section from thermal to ≈ 100 keV is discussed, using one of the flightpaths at the LANSCE Lujan Center. Previous energy-resolved resonance-region measurements have been conducted using weapon test time-of-flight and the LANSCE Lead Slowing Down Spectrometer, the former of which is limited in its energy range, and the latter in its energy resolution and range. We present here a proposal, based on simulations of the Lujan Center neutron flux and a hypothetical experiment, that is expected to adequately address both of these issues.

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEA↗