Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Isotope Program”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 235 records · Page 13

LDRD 2022 Annual Report: Laboratory Directed Research and Development Program Activities

Each year, Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) is required to provide a report of its completed Laboratory Directed Research and Development Program (LDRD) projects to the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Scientific and Technical Information in accordance with DOE Order 413.2C Chg1 (MinChg) dated August 2, 2018. This report provides a detailed look at the scientific and technical activities for each of the LDRD projects funded by BNL in FY 2022, in fulfillment of that requirement. In FY 2022, the BNL LDRD Program funded 70 projects, 30 of which were new starts, at a total cost of $17.2M. The investments that BNL makes in its LDRD program support the Laboratory’s strategic goals. BNL has identified seven scientific initiatives that define the Laboratory’s scientific future and that will enable it to realize its overall vision. This requires simultaneous excellence in all aspects of BNL’s work – from science and operations, to external partnerships with the local, state, and national communities, and beyond. This is enabled by safe, efficient, and secure operations; by an unwavering commitment to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment, including workforce development, both with staff and reaching out to the community; and by a strong focus on renewed infrastructure. The seven scientific initiatives are: 1) Nuclear Physics: uncover the structure of visible matter by constructing and operating the Electron-Ion Collider at BNL to maintain international leadership in nuclear physics for decades; 2) Clean Energy and Climate: support a net-zero U.S. economy through fundamental research in basic energy and climate sciences to revolutionize grid-scale storage, renewable integration, and the study of atmospheric processes with a new facility to improve climate predictability; 3) Quantum Information Science and Technology: discover new quantum materials to enhance quantum computers and develop an entanglement sharing quantum network as a prototype for the first quantum internet; 4) Discovery Science Driven by the Human-AI Facility Integration: revolutionize the operation of experiments across the sciences at user facilities and in core programs; 5) High Energy Physics: understand the origin of space and time with the ATLAS high luminosity upgrade at CERN and the future Long Baseline Neutrino Facility/Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment; 6) Isotope Production: accelerate and expand isotope production to ensure the security of the Nation’s supply; 7) Accelerator Science and Technology: harness the cross-cutting accelerator science expertise at BNL to develop new facilities, improve and expand its user facilities, and promote the use of accelerators in industry. The funded projects support BNL’s seven scientific initiatives and priority programs as well as new areas of research and competencies at the Laboratory that are consistent with the Laboratory’s vision and mission. In total, these LDRD investments supported 43 postdoctoral researchers in whole or in part and resulted in 138 publications and 7 awards. This Program Activities Report represents the future of BNL science; it is an impressive body of exploratory work that investigates many scientific and technical directions in support of the DOE and BNL missions.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗

The high intensity diffractometer for residual stress analysis (HIDRA), a third generation residual stress mapping neutron diffractometer at the high flux isotope reactor

This paper describes the hardware and software upgrades, operation, and performance of the high intensity diffractometer for residual stress analysis (HIDRA) instrument, a residual stress mapping neutron diffractometer located at the High Flux Isotope Reactor at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Oak Ridge Tennessee, USA. Following a major upgrade in 2018, the new instrument has a single 3 He multiwire 2D 30 × 30 cm 2 position sensitive detector, yielding a field of view of 17° 2θ. Further, the increase in the field of view (from 4° 2θ) from the previous model instrument has contributed to the tremendous improvement in the out of plane solid angle such that the 3D count rate could be obtained easily. Accordingly, the hardware, software, Data Acquisition System (DAS), and so on have also been updated. Finally, all these enhanced features of HIDRA have been ably demonstrated by conducting multi directional diffraction measurements in the quenched 750-T74 aluminum, and the evolved and improved strain/stress mappings are presented.

3D printing↗

Developments and Challenges in the Design of the ITER DRGA

We report the ITER Diagnostic Residual Gas Analyzer (DRGA) will measure the distribution of gas species, i.e., deuterium (D), tritium (T), and impurities, in the divertor exhaust stream and in the plasma periphery, with time resolution relevant to fusion plasma–wall particle dynamics. The uniqueness of the DRGA, over previous implementations of plasma dynamics residual gas analysis, is an integrated approach, combining mass and low-temperature plasma-activated optical spectroscopy, in a differentially pumped analysis station. A further unique feature of the ITER divertor-specific DRGA is an ~8-m separation of the analysis station from the sampled pumping duct, while still maintaining a ~1-s response time for hydrogen isotopic concentrations. ITER DRGA final design activities are strongly benefiting from testing of prototypical DRGA components and methods on present fusion devices, most currently on JET and W7-X. DRGA systems are implemented on both these devices and include sensors (and pumping methods) that are directly relevant to the ITER DRGA design. The recent JET-DTE2 campaign has provided the first experience on operating the combined ITER DRGA sensors with D-T plasmas. While enhancing system design for ITER, this experience on operating devices has also revealed additional engineering challenges, which further guide the continuing final design project. Meanwhile, the recent determination that the ITER DRGA, with slight optimization, will resolve the helium isotopes well enough to support an ITER pre-DT, He-3-based heating scheme, has greatly increased ITER Research Program interest in the DRGA and its implementation well ahead of the DT phase.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Neutron Source Facility of the National Science Center “Kharkiv Institute of Physics and Technology” at Kharkiv, Ukraine

Argonne National Laboratory developed, designed, and supported the construction of a state-of-the-art Neutron Source Facility (NSF) at the Kharkov Institute of Physics and Technology (KIPT) in Kharkov Ukraine, under the U.S. DOE NNSA Russian Research Reactor Fuel Return (RRRFR) program. Ukraine approved the return of all highly enriched uranium in the country to Russia prior to the 2012 Nuclear Security Summit in return for the RRRFR program to fund the development, the design, and the construction of the NSF. The facility is designed to produce medical isotopes, train nuclear professionals, support the Ukrainian nuclear industry, and provide experimental capabilities for performing reactor physics, materials, and basic science research. The NSF was successfully started and operated in August 2021. The NSF is the first facility of this type in the world, and it will be used to understand the physics of driven systems for energy production and the disposal of spent nuclear fuels. The NSF consists of a subcritical assembly using low enriched uranium (LEU) fuel driven with an electron accelerator. The NSF target design utilizes tungsten or natural uranium for producing neutrons through photonuclear reactions using 100-MeV electrons. The accelerator power is 100 KW, which produces 3x10 14 neutrons per second from the uranium target. The subcritical assembly is designed to obtain the highest possible neutron flux intensity with an effective neutron multiplication factor of less than 0.98. Passive safety, reliability, and environmental considerations were included in the NSF design. The NSF utilization study shows that this neutron source has the capability of producing different medical isotopes. Several horizontal neutron channels are incorporated for performing applied and basic research. The NSF is configured to accommodate future design upgrades and new missions. The facility design was approved by the Ukraine Academy of Sciences before starting the NSF construction. The construction, the equipment installation, and the operation of the different systems of the NSF were completed and approved by the Ukrainian regulators. In July 2020, the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine (SNRIU) issued a license for the physical startup of the NSF. The construction of facility was completed in early 2021.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

HTV Post Irradiation Examination (PIE) Results and Analysis

This report is responsive to 2017 Idaho National Laboratory (INL) Memorandum Purchase Order No. 00181805, statement of work 13687 “HTR Graphite R&D – FY ORNL 2017 MPO”, Deliverable 12A “issue final report on the HTV PIE to INL”, due June 15 th 2017.The HTV (High Temperature Vessel) was a HFIR (High Flux Isotope Reactor) high temperature target rod capsule in support of the DOE’s (Department of Energy) High Temperature Reactor (HTR) program. The HTV capsule contained eight sub-capsules, each with nine graphite specimens. The sub-capsules were designed to operate at ~900°C, ~1200°C or ~1600°C. The actual irradiation temperature was established by interrogating SiC and graphite TMs during PIE (post-irradiation examination. The capsule dose ranged from 1.49 dpa to 3.34 dpa, and varied with specimen position within the capsule the maximum dose occurring at the reactor mid-plane and the minimum dose occurring at the core periphery. The irradiated graphite specimens were examined during PIE to establish their high temperature dimensional and elastic (Young’s) modulus changes. The PIE results are reported and analyzed here. The dimensional and modulus changes were shown to have a strong thermal dependence. The dimensional changes were small, being of the order of a few percent or less, ranging from a maximum shrinkage of -3.1% (PCEA WG, T irr =1500°C at 3.3 dpa) to +0.131% (2114 AG, T irr = 869 at 3.2 dpa). The specimen volume shrinkages varied from –0.81 (2114, T irr = 840 at 3.1 dpa) to -9.15% (PCEA, T irr =1500°C at 3.3 dpa). The volume changes were larger at higher Irradiation temperatures. Of the six grades examined, only 2114 moved into the net positive dimensional swelling situation. Significantly, the volume change for 2114 remained negative at the doses and temperature tested here. Dimensional and volume changes were explained in terms of the temperature dependence of the crystal growth rate, the anisotropy of the crystal growth (crystallographic c-axis growth and crystallographic a-direction shrinkage) and the thermal closure of aligned micro-porosity. The modulus changes were much larger, being of the order of a few tens of percent. A trend of lesser fractional increases of Young’s Modulus with an increasing T irr was noted. The minimum increase in Young’s Modulus was 20% (H-451 WG, T irr =1500°C at 3.3 dpa) and the maximum 71% (IG-110, T irr = 840(actual) at 3.3 dpa). The rise in Young’s modulus is attributed to dislocation pinning by lattice defects produced by neutron irradiation and the temperature dependency is related to the irradiation temperature influence on the number of defect available to pin dislocations.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Streamlining and Transparently Automating Complex Waste Determinations at Los Alamos National Laboratory - 17286

Environmental programs at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) generate a large amount of sampling activities that can result in waste that needs to be characterized and properly disposed. Since 2011, sampling results are managed in the cloud-based Environmental Information Management (EIM) database, which contains over 16 million current and historical data records. In many cases, the database's analytical records are used to characterize and dispose waste from environmental operations. Three factors contribute to streamlining of the waste disposition operations: (1) if possible, use of the existing analytical data for waste characterization to avoid additional laboratory analysis; (2) reduction in time spent on data evaluation for various waste acceptance criteria; and (3) choice of the proper and least expensive disposal alternative. Use of the existing analytical data, when allowed by law, creates some paradoxical problems: when chemical analysis is requested with the purpose of characterizing waste, it creates only 100 to 400 analytical records. However, use of exiting analytical data at LANL may lead to evaluation of tens of thousands of analytical records, with many records for each single analyte. This occurs because data were collected for environmental characterization and not waste characterization. To streamline data analysis for waste disposition using existing data, LANL has created a Waste Data Summary (WDS) module in the site's EIM database. Recognizing that waste determination is performed by groups outside the environmental program at LANL, the WDS allows for logically guided data selection for a specific waste determination (solids, liquids, radiological, etc.) and reduces potentially thousands of rows of data into simple formatted data reports that are easy to comprehend and process. This allows the waste evaluators to review data using multiple approaches to make their own determination on the most appropriate disposal method. There are four basic principles of WDS operation: (1) The highest detected analytical result is evaluated for the selected samples (or the lowest undetected result if there are no detected results); (2) All approved disposal pathways are evaluated; (3) Any failures of the Waste Acceptance Criteria are visibly highlighted to focus the attention of the evaluator; and (4) The decision of the disposal path is left to the trained waste evaluator (WDS does not choose or suggest any disposal paths). The summary results are presented as the set of short data reports. These reports can be divided into two groups: general comparison reports and disposal pathway specific forms. The general comparison forms show all Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) analytes with pass/fail evaluation and with preference for toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) results (or 20x rule) for solid samples, the potential RCRA hazard codes assignment for detected analytes, and all rad results. The detected chemical and radioactivity results are compared to the background values and to Soil Screening and Soil Action limits (SSL/SAL limits). Disposal pathway specific forms follow Waste Acceptance Criteria requirements for all disposal pathways available at LANL. The programming of the WDS tries to maximize existing data by analyte substitutions (like using gross alpha for necessary alpha emitting isotopes) or by making calculations when analytical results do not agree with legal requirements (like total chlordane in the RCRA regulations, which is most often analyzed and reported as individual isomers). All forms may be annotated by the waste evaluator to provide additional information to support decision making. Upon final decision of a disposal path, the complete dataset used in the evaluation and the WDS forms with annotations is 'frozen' as an un-editable PDF export to document the data used in the waste disposal determination. The streamlined process results in less work for waste evaluators and reduces overall labor and analytical costs. By comparison, a full review of a 10,000 record parent dataset may take a waste evaluator over a week to review, whereas with the WDS module, the task can be accomplished in less than one hour with clear, reproducible results. These results can be reviewed and checked at any time by quality assurance personnel, thus ensuring transparency in the decision making process. LANL believes this approach has broad applicability to other sites where waste determination is based on review of existing data collected for more generalized environmental purposes. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Neutron Irradiation Experiments

This presentation discusses the ongoing and upcoming neutron irradiation experiments within the Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies (AMMT) program for the 2024 AMMT program review meeting. Ongoing and upcoming neutron irradiation of additively manufactured 316 stainless steel and A709 in the High Flux Isotope Reactor and Advanced Test Reactor are described.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Safeguards Technology Development Program: FY 2024 Mid-Year Report

This project has 2 major thrusts and 2 minor tasks – One of the major ones is a scoping study for improving uranium isotopics by analyzing higher energy, lower yield U-235 gamma emissions. The second major one benefits past projects such as auto-enrichment, and peak-based analysis routines previously added to GADRAS-DRF [1]. The two minor tasks involve an in-person or remote GADRAS-DRF training for the IAEA, and characterizing detectors of interest.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗

Trace impurity analysis in uranium oxide via hybrid quantification techniques—gravimetric standard addition and isotope dilution mass spectrometry

Measurement methods for the analysis of trace impurities in uranium materials, essential in nuclear fuel production and nuclear forensics, are continuously improving. Analytical methods were developed with the goal of lowering uncertainties of next generation certified uranium oxide reference materials for trace impurity concentrations. Through addition of a traceable standard directly into the sample, gravimetric standard addition and isotope dilution followed by analysis on an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer can achieve lower uncertainties. In conclusion, results for 28 impurities in CRM 124-1 and 124-6 from NBL Program Office were used for validation of accuracy and comparisons of uncertainties.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

BRR Cask Use for Pu-238 Isotope Production

US Department of Energy (DOE), in partnership with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), needs to produce Pu-238 for space exploration Major activities are focused at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) Key part of program is movement of targets between INL and ORNL BEA Research Reactor (BRR) package licensed for transport of unirradiated and irradiated targets

42 ENGINEERING↗

Hawthorne Nevada Deep Direct-Use Feasibility Study - References, Reports, Literature

The objective of this project is to use a multi-disciplinary, three-tiered approach to assess the geothermal resource and determine the feasibility of implementing a large-scale, direct-use facility for the Hawthorne Army Depot (HAD) and the various town and county facilities in Hawthorne, Nevada. This assessment directly targets a geothermal resource recently characterized by the Navy Geothermal Program Office (GPO) as part of a focused exploration and development campaign. Data includes: Zip folder containing information from Bjornstad. Includes isotope, temperature, water, well, and reports from 2002; Zip folder contains PDF and power point files of references for the Hawthorne Geothermal project; Zip folder containing PDF files of the literature cited in the proposal.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗

Generation of Bright Soft X-ray Laser Beams (Final Report)

The project goal was to demonstrate new compact soft x-ray lasers emitting high energy ultrashort pulses at shorter wavelengths and increased repetition rates by amplification in atomic transitions in high density laser-created plasmas. To demonstrate these lasers we developed new high power solid state lasers. The project succeeded in demonstrating the shortest wavelength compact soft x-ray laser to date, 6.85 nm wavelength, and the highest repetition rate table-top soft x-ray laser, 400 Hz. We also applied these compact soft x-ray laser sources to determine the composition of materials with nanoscale resolution using a new technique that combines soft x-ray laser ablation with mass spectrometry, and we demonstrated that these lasers are capable of acquiring nanoscale resolution holograms with picosecond time resolution. The combination of an increased pumping efficiency with increased repetition rates can yield soft x-ray laser beams with an unprecedented average power on a table-top for applications demanding a high photon flux. We have demonstrated that the efficiency of plasma-based laser-pumped soft x-ray lasers can be significantly increased by detailed pulse shaping of the pump laser using a new pulse synthesizer. Results include the demonstration of 18.9 nm wavelength laser operation at a record 400 Hz repetition rate, and the extension of repetitive gain-saturated plasma-based table-top x-ray lasers to the shortest wavelength to date, 6.85 nm. Laser amplification was also observed at wavelengths as short at 5.8 nm by isolectronic scaling in Ni-like lanthanide ions. We have also conducted simulations to explore the possibility of demonstrating gain saturated atomic x-ray lasers near the carbon K-edge, in the “carbon window” for the first time. The work conducted under this program also includes the use of compact soft x-ray lasers in applications to problems of chemical interest, such as isotopic composition mapping of micron-size uranium particles with nanoscale resolution, and nanoscale resolution depth profiling analysis of CoNCN-coated electrodes for water oxidation catalysis. We also demonstrated single-shot high resolution soft x-ray Fourier transform holography over a broad 7 µm diameter field of view with ~ 5 ps temporal resolution.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

Nuclear Forensics

Nuclear forensics is a key part of the nuclear security strategy for the United States and the international community. The NACS Division is central to the leadership role that LLNL has had in nuclear forensics over the past 25 years. Our current nuclear forensic program includes conducting R&D on provenance and attribution signatures, collaborating with international partners, training the next generation of nuclear forensic experts, developing test materials for verification and validation exercises, and providing expert advice to national and international policy makers. Key to our success in these areas has been the strong and continuing involvement in nuclear forensic casework obtained through law enforcement and intelligence channels as well as our outstanding analytical capabilities. NACS must continue to conduct forward-thinking R&D in nuclear forensics that supports operational programs and addresses intelligence gaps. To maintain leadership in nuclear forensics, we must attract, develop, and retain the best talent. The NNSA has a central leadership role in developing educational initiatives for nuclear forensics. In concert with the Glenn T. Seaborg Institute, the NACS Division will continue to participate in all nuclear forensic educational initiatives (undergraduate, graduate, postdoctoral) and incorporate LLNL’s D&I vision into its student and postdoc recruitment efforts. We will continue to build formal relationships with key academic partners and institutions with active and emerging nuclear forensic research interests. We will also strengthen relationships with NNSA DNN and SSAA funded university consortia (e.g. NSSC, ACE, CNEC, CVT, ETI, MTV), helping them conduct research of interest and relevance to nuclear forensics, while at the same time evaluating and recruiting promising talent from these programs.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗

Development of Large Bore Rabbit Capsules in Support of BWR Cladding Irradiations in HFIR

The High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) is an ideal tool for materials irradiation testing because of its intense steady-state neutron flux. Many programs take advantage of HFIR’s central flux trap for irradiation experiments using capsules, also known as rabbits, to support advanced materials development and reactor design. The facility that makes up the HFIR flux trap has recently undergone a design change that increases the HFIR primary coolant volumetric flow rate by removing restrictions in the system. As a result, the usable cross-sectional area within the facility increased, opening the door to increase the cross-sectional area of the rabbit capsules that fill the facility. This report documents a new large-diameter rabbit housing that increases the usable volume within the rabbit capsule by 22.6%. However, challenges arise with increasing the capsule size, such as establishing a new maximum capsule operating pressure and determining the thermal-hydraulic characteristics. This report addresses those challenges with previously adopted HFIR safety methods. The rupture pressure of the rabbit housings is demonstrated while verifying that capsule swelling during and after rupture will not block coolant flow. Then, a safety factor is applied to ascertain an administrative operating pressure. Additionally, the thermal-hydraulic performance of the HFIR facility filled with large-diameter rabbit capsules is shown to not violate previously determined safety criteria. Next, heat transfer coefficients are determined for use in design calculations. Furthermore, this report gives an example of internal configurations for the new, larger rabbit capsules that use relevant boiling water reactor (BWR) cladding geometry. Finally, this report documents an example thermal design performance for a rabbit capsule containing six gauge-curved tensile tube specimens. The thermal performance gives predicted temperature distributions within the capsule and shows the expected temperature of the passive thermometers for post-irradiation temperature comparisons.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗

Development of Large Bore Rabbit Capsules in Support of BWR Cladding Irradiations in HFIR

The High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) is an ideal tool for materials irradiation testing because of its intense steady-state neutron flux. Many programs take advantage of HFIR’s central flux trap for irradiation experiments using capsules, also known as rabbits, to support advanced materials development and reactor design. The facility that makes up the HFIR flux trap has recently undergone a design change that increases the HFIR primary coolant volumetric flow rate by removing restrictions in the system. As a result, the usable cross-sectional area within the facility increased, opening the door to increase the cross-sectional area of the rabbit capsules that fill the facility. This report documents a new large-diameter rabbit housing that increases the usable volume within the rabbit capsule by 22.6%. However, challenges arise with increasing the capsule size, such as establishing a new maximum capsule operating pressure and determining the thermal-hydraulic characteristics. This report addresses those challenges with previously adopted HFIR safety methods. The rupture pressure of the rabbit housings is demonstrated while verifying that capsule swelling during and after rupture will not block coolant flow. Then, a safety factor is applied to ascertain an administrative operating pressure. Additionally, the thermal-hydraulic performance of the HFIR facility filled with large-diameter rabbit capsules is shown to not violate previously determined safety criteria. Next, heat transfer coefficients are determined for use in design calculations. Furthermore, this report gives an example of internal configurations for the new, larger rabbit capsules that use relevant boiling water reactor (BWR) cladding geometry. Finally, this report documents an example thermal design performance for a rabbit capsule containing six gauge-curved tensile tube specimens. The thermal performance gives predicted temperature distributions within the capsule and shows the expected temperature of the passive thermometers for post-irradiation temperature comparisons.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Actinide Mixing Optimization Solver

The Actinide Mixing Optimization Solver (AMOS) is a set of programs written in MATLAB that computes theoretical mixes of different uranium, plutonium, thorium, and other actinide materials given a list of isotopic reference materials. Constraints are applied depending on the desired product and a mixture is computed to meet the specified requirements. The optimal mixture consists of a product that uses the lowest possible number of initial actinide materials and has the lowest cost. AMOS is currently applied to particular reference material requests from the sponsoring agency (NNSA) on behalf of the IAEA.

Baldwin, Aaron Taylor↗

Status of a New Resonance Evaluation for Cerium to Support Nuclear Criticality Safety Applications

A new resonance evaluation is currently being carried out at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) for isotopes of cerium. This new evaluation will provide a much-needed update of the resolved and unresolved resonance parameters for {sup 140}Ce and {sup 142}Ce based on new and existing experimental cross section data. The physics of the resolved resonance region will be greatly improved, and new resonance parameter covariance data will be generated. Cerium exists predominately as {sup 140}Ce and {sup 142}Ce and can be found in chemical processing streams because it is used commercially as a catalyst or additive in chemical applications (e.g., glass polishing powder). Cerium has neutron-absorbing properties that can influence the reactivity of systems with fissionable material. The need for improved cerium cross section data has been identified specifically for the Hanford Plutonium Finishing Plant as part of the Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP) nuclear data request. Furthermore, cerium is a high-yield fission product, making it relevant for reactor calculations. Currently, ENDF/B-VII.1 evaluations for cerium isotopes (described in Section II) do not include the covariance data needed to support sensitivity/uncertainty analyses of systems involving cerium. In addition, the available cerium resonance parameters in ENDF/B-VII.1 are based on parameters provided in the Atlas of Neutron Resonances: Resonance Parameters and Thermal Cross- Sections. Z = 1-100 by S. Mughabghab; hence, the 'evaluated' resonance parameters are not based on a detailed R-matrix analysis. Furthermore, differential measurements are needed in the resonance region to accurately predict the neutron resonances. ORNL has completed new differential measurements on natural samples of cerium, and measurements of an enriched {sup 142}Ce sample are planned. A corresponding resonance evaluation for {sup 140}Ce and {sup 142}Ce being conducted by ORNL will provide detailed cross section resonance parameters and corresponding evaluated covariance data in the resonance region in support of the NCSP. The target uncertainty requested by the NCSP is on the order of 1-2% for the total cross section and less than 6% for the capture cross section in the resolved resonance region. New cerium resonance evaluations will significantly improve radiation transport calculations for systems involving cerium in processes in the DOE Complex. Also, the new evaluations will provide much-needed evaluated covariance data to support sensitivity/ uncertainty analyses.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

A LIBS method for simultaneous monitoring of the impurities and the hydrogenic composition present in the wall of the TJ-II stellarator

The study of plasma-wall interactions and impurity transport in the plasma fusion devices is critical for the development of future fusion reactors. An experiment to perform laser induced breakdown spectroscopy, using minor modifications of our existing laser blow-off impurity injection system, has been set up thus making both experiments compatible. The radiation produced by the laser pulse focused at the TJ-II wall evaporates a surface layer of deposited impurities and the subsequent radiation produced by the laser-produced plasma is collected by two separate lens and fiber combinations into two spectrometers. The first spectrometer, with low spectral resolution, records a spectrum from 200 to 900 nm to give a survey of impurities present in the wall. The second one, with high resolution, is tuned to the wavelengths of the Hα and Dα lines in order to resolve them and quantify the hydrogen isotopic ratio present on the surface of the wall. The alignment, calibration, and spectral analysis method will be described in detail. First experimental results obtained with this setup will be shown and its relevance for the TJ-II experimental program discussed.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗