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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.

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At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2018

Modeling the one-dimensional imager of neutrons (ODIN) for neutron response functions at the Sandia Z facility

The one-dimensional imager of neutrons (ODIN) at the Sandia Z facility consists of a 10-cm block of tungsten with rolled edges, creating a slit imager with slit widths of either 250, 500, or 750 μm. Designed with a 1-m neutron imaging line of sight, we achieve about 4:1 magnification and 500-μm axial spatial resolution. The baseline inertial confinement fusion concept at Sandia is magnetized liner inertial fusion, which nominally creates a 1-cm line source of neutrons. ODIN was designed to determine the size, shape, and location of the neutron producing region, furthering the understanding of compression quality along the cylindrical axis of magnetized liner implosions. Challenges include discriminating neutrons from hard x-rays and gammas with adequate signal-to-noise in the 2 × 10 12 deuterium-deuterium (DD) neutron yield range, as well as understanding the point spread function of the imager to various imaging detectors (namely, CR-39). Modeling efforts were conducted with MCNP6.1 to determine neutron response functions for varying configurations in a clean DD neutron environment (without x-rays or gammas). Configuration alterations that will be shown include rolled-edge slit orientation and slit width, affecting the resolution and response function. The experiment to determine CR-39 neutron sensitivity, with and without a high density polyethylene (n, p) converter, an edge spread function, and resolution will be discussed.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2024

Godiva IV central cavity neutron environment characterization with threshold neutron detectors

Godiva IV is a cylindrical fast burst reactor comprised of approximately 65 kg of highly enriched uranium that is operated by Los Alamos National Laboratory and sited at the National Criticality Experiments Research Center at the Nevada National Security Site in Nevada in the United States. Godiva IV is typically operated at delayed critical and in the regime spanning from sub-prompt to super-prompt bursts. Godiva IV is used for sample irradiations, criticality safety demonstrations, dosimetry studies, and for studying super-prompt behavior. In preparation for both an upcoming experiment to reduce uncertainties in the prompt fission spectrum for 235U using threshold neutron detectors, and for future research using Godiva IV, it was desired to exercise the process of the selection of threshold neutron detectors/activation foils, radiation metrology, and the subsequent adjustment of the neutron spectrum. For this exercise, nine high purity threshold neutron detectors/activation foils were irradiated in a Godiva IV burst. The foils were then analyzed using a high-purity germanium detector in the NCERC counting laboratory to determine end of irradiation specific activities for available IRDFF-II reactions. This work summarizes the Godiva IV foil irradiation, radiation metrology results, and adjusted neutron spectrum. The results of this exercise ultimately characterized the neutron environment inside the sample irradiation cavity inside Godiva IV to a higher degree than previously performed, informed decisions for the upcoming larger scale experiment, and will inform future neutron spectrum characterizations at NCERC.

Whitman, Nicholas H.↗
DOE OSTI2018

Neutronics Analyses for the Spallation Neutron Source Second Target Station

The Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) and the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR), two of the word-class neutron scattering facilities, are located at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The SNS and HFIR are funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Basic Energy Science, and are operated as user facilities, available to researchers from all over the world. Currently there are thirteen neutron scattering instruments in operation at the HFIR and twenty at the SNS First Target Station.Producing the cutting edge science requires continuous improvements and development of the facilities and instruments. The SNS was designed from the beginning to allow addition of the Second Target Station (STS), and an upgrade of the accelerator power. At this time both advances: the accelerator upgrade and the construction of the STS are in preparation.Current baseline design for the STS calls for a rotating compact tungsten target. The target station is driven with short (<1 μs) proton pulses at 10 Hz repetition rate and 467 kW proton beam power, and is optimized for high intensity and high resolution long wavelength neutron applications. The proton beam footprint as small as acceptable from the mechanical and heat removal aspects is planned to generate a compact-volume neutron production zone in the target, which is essential for tight coupling of the target and the moderators and for achieving high-intensity peak thermal and cold neutron fluxes. The STS will allow operation of approximately 22 beamlines and will expand and complement the current national neutron scattering capabilities.This paper will present an update of the status of the neutronics analyses performed for the STS and will discuss the performance of the moderators, heating rates, activation analyses, and shielding calculations which provide input in the engineering design.

Remec, Igor↗
DOE OSTI2018

Average neutron time-of-flight instrument response function inferred from single D-T neutron events within a plastic scintillator

The apparent ion temperature and neutron-reaction history are important characteristics of a fusion plasma. Extracting these quantities from a measured neutron-time-of-flight signal requires accurate knowledge of the instrument response function (IRF). This paper describes a novel method for obtaining the IRF directly for single DT neutron interactions by utilizing n-alpha coincidence. The t(d,α)n nuclear reaction was produced at Sandia National Laboratories’ Ion Beam Laboratory using a 300 keV Cockcroft-Walton generator to accelerate a 2.5 μA beam of 175 keV D + ions into a stationary ErT 2 target. The average neutron IRF was calculated by taking a time-corrected average of individual neutron events within an EJ-228 plastic scintillator. The scintillator was coupled to two independent photo-multiplier tubes operated in the current mode: a Hamamatsu 5946 mod-5 and a Photek PMT240. Finally, the experimental setup and results will be discussed.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2018

Measurement of the absolute neutron beam polarization from a supermirror polarizer and the absolute efficiency of a neutron spin rotator for the NPDGamma experiment using a polarized 3 He neutron spin-filter

Accurately measuring the neutron beam polarization of a high flux, large area neutron beam is necessary for many neutron physics experiments. The Fundamental Neutron Physics Beamline (FnPB) at the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) is a pulsed neutron beam that was polarized with a supermirror polarizer for the NPDGamma experiment. The polarized neutron beam had a flux of ~10 9 neutrons per second per cm 2 and a cross sectional area of 10 x 12 cm 2 . The polarization of this neutron beam and the efficiency of a RF neutron spin rotator installed downstream on this beam were measured by neutron transmission through a polarized 3 He neutron spin-filter. The pulsed nature of the SNS enabled us to employ an absolute measurement technique for both quantities which does not depend on accurate knowledge of the phase space of the neutron beam or the 3 He polarization in the spin filter and is therefore of interest for any experiments on slow neutron beams from pulsed neutron sources which require knowledge of the absolute value of the neutron polarization. The polarization and spin-reversal efficiency measured were done for the NPDGamma experiment, which measures the parity violating γ-ray angular distribution asymmetry with respect to the neutron spin direction in the capture of polarized neutrons on protons. Finally, the experimental technique, results, systematic effects, and applications to neutron capture targets are discussed.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2022

The development of a 6 Li-based pixelated neutron detector for neutron reflectometry at the Spallation Neutron Source

We present a high-rate 6 Li-based pixelated neutron detector developed for neutron reflectometry instruments at the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS). The neutron detector has a pixelated design: each 6 Li scintillator element has its own photosensor and independent channel readout. This paper focuses on the general overview of the detector design and construction, the characterization of the pixelated detector, and the results of the first neutron reflectivity experiments conducted using the pixelated neutron detector at the SNS Liquid Reflectometer (BL-4B). The pixelated neutron detector demonstrated a global time-average count rate of ≥ 1.8 x 10 6 cps, at least 3 orders of magnitude higher than that of the existing neutron detector ( 3 He-based Multi-Wire Proportional Counter), and a local instantaneous count rate of ≥ 1.73 x 10 6 cps / cm 2 . The maximum counting rate of the detector has not yet been determined as the detector is capable of handling the maximum flux available at the beamline. Furthermore, the outcome of the neutron reflectivity experiments showed that the pixelated neutron detector is a promising candidate for next-generation neutron reflectometry instruments at the SNS.

6Li, silicon photomultiplier↗
DOE OSTI2019

Characterization of the neutron flux during production of 18 F at a medical cyclotron and evaluation of the incidental neutron spectrum for neutron damage studies

The fast neutron spectrum was measured an irradiation position adjacent to two 18 F (fluorine-18) production targets at a medical cyclotron. The neutron spectrum was modeled using MCNP6 and experimentally determined using activation foils. A three-group neutron spectrum was determined using an over-determined least squares fitting method. The MCNP6 model results and measurements of the activation foils were used as input to unfold the neutron spectrum using the PNNL-STAYSL code. The neutron spectrum adjacent to the 18 F production target was evaluated for use in incidental experiments to evaluate neutron induced radiolysis of polyurethane and radiation hardness testing of electronics. The fast neutron flux near the 18 F target between the energies of 0.4 – 16.5 MeV was 1.8 – 3.0x10 9 n cm -2 s -1 . The neutron dose rate in polyurethane at the irradiation position was 2.8 cGy s -1 – 5.8 cGys -1 . The 1 MeV equivalent neutron flux was 2.4x10 9 n cm -2 s -1 – 4.0x10 9 n cm -2 s -1 .

18F-fluorodeoxyglucose↗
DOE OSTI2018

Detailed Investigations of Neutron–Neutron Angular Correlations in Slow-Neutron-Induced Fission of {sup 233}U, {sup 235}U, and {sup 239}Pu

An experiment devoted to studying neutron–neutron angular correlations in the slow-neutroninduced fission of {sup 233}U, {sup 235}U and {sup 239}Pu nuclei was performed. The experimentally determined angular dependence of the number of neutron–neutron coincidences was compared with the results of a Monte Carlo simulation for various values of the neutron-detection threshold in the range between 490 and 2080 keV. It was found that the experimental angular distributions in question can be described well under the assumption that 2% to 5% of all prompt fission neutrons are emitted isotropically in the laboratory frame. Probably, such neutrons can be interpreted as so-called scission neutrons directly associated with the nuclear-rupture instant. Energy distributions of this component were also obtained from the present analysis.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Neutron Tunneling: A New Mechanism to Power Explosive Phenomena in Neutron Stars, Magnetars, and Neutron Star Mergers

Neutron tunneling between neutron-rich nuclei in inhomogeneous dense matter encountered in neutron star crusts can release enormous energy on a short timescale to power explosive phenomena in neutron stars. In this work, we clarify aspects of this process that can occur in the outer regions of neutron stars when oscillations or cataclysmic events increase the ambient density. We use a time-dependent Hartree–Fock–Bogoliubov formalism to determine the rate of neutron diffusion and find that large amounts of energy can be released rapidly. The roles of nuclear binding, two-body interaction, and pairing in neutron diffusion times are investigated. We consider a one-dimensional quantum diffusion model and extend our analysis to study the impact of diffusion in three dimensions. Here, we find that these novel neutron transfer reactions can generate energy in the amount of ≃ 10 40 –10 44 erg under suitable conditions and assumptions.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Neutron-neutron quasifree scattering in neutron-deuteron breakup at 10 MeV

New measurements of the neutron-neutron quasifree scattering cross section in neutron-deuteron breakup at an incident neutron energy of 10.0 MeV are reported. The experiment setup was optimized to evaluate the technique for determining the integrated beam-target luminosity in neutron-neutron coincidence cross-section measurements in neutron-deuteron breakup. The measurements were carried out with a systematic uncertainty of ± 5.6%. Our data are in agreement with theoretical calculations performed using the CD-Bonn nucleon-nucleon potential in the Faddeev formalism. The measured integrated cross section over the quasifree peak is 20.5 ± 0.5(stat) ± 1.1 (sys) mb/sr 2 in comparison with the theory prediction of 20.1 mb/sr 2 . Overall, these results validate our technique for determining the beam-target luminosity in neutron-deuteron breakup measurements.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Experimental Search for Neutron to Mirror Neutron Oscillations as an Explanation of the Neutron Lifetime Anomaly

We report an unexplained >4σ discrepancy persists between “beam” and “bottle” measurements of the neutron lifetime. A new model proposed that conversions of neutrons n into mirror neutrons n', part of a dark mirror sector, can increase the apparent neutron lifetime by 1% via a small mass splitting Δm between n and n' inside the 4.6 T magnetic field of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Beam Lifetime experiment. A search for neutron conversions in a 6.6 T magnetic field was performed at the Spallation Neutron Source which excludes this explanation for the neutron lifetime discrepancy.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2022

A Search for Neutron to Mirror Neutron Oscillation Using Neutron Electric Dipole Moment Measurements

Baryon number violation is a key ingredient of baryogenesis. It has been hypothesized that there could also be a parity-conjugated copy of the standard model particles, called mirror particles. The existence of such a mirror universe has specific testable implications, especially in the domain of neutral particle oscillation, viz. the baryon number violating neutron to mirror-neutron (n−n′) oscillation. Consequently, there were many experiments that have searched for n−n′ oscillation, and imposed constraints upon the parameters that describe it. Recently, further analysis on some of these results have identified anomalies which could point to the detection of n−n′ oscillation. All the previous efforts searched for n−n′ oscillation by comparing the relative number of ultracold neutrons that survive after a period of storage for one or both of the two cases: (i) comparison of zero applied magnetic field to a non-zero applied magnetic field, and (ii) comparison where the orientation of the applied magnetic field was reversed. However, n−n′ oscillations also lead to variations in the precession frequency of polarized neutrons upon flipping the direction of the applied magnetic field. Precession frequencies are measured, very precisely, by experiments searching for the electric dipole moment. For the first time, we used the data from the latest search for the neutron electric dipole moment to constrain n−n′ oscillation. After compensating for the systematic effects that affect the ratio of precession frequencies of ultracold neutrons and cohabiting 199Hg-atoms, chief among which was due to their motion in non-uniform magnetic field, we constrained any further perturbations due to n−n′ oscillation. We thereby provide a lower limit on the n−n′ oscillation time constant of τnn′/|cos(β)|>5.7s,0.36T′

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Light output and neutron detection efficiency of boron-based neutron scintillator screens for neutron imaging

Recent research has explored the development of boron-based neutron scintillator screens, which potentially offer improved spatial resolution and neutron capture efficiency compared to traditional lithium-based screens. This work builds upon previous efforts to improve boron-based neutron scintillators by assessing a newer generation of boron-based scintillator screens fabricated using different compositions and fabrication approaches compared to previous generations of screens. Some of the test screens exhibit higher light output than previous efforts and higher neutron capture efficiency than lithium-based screens. This paper describes the current state of screen development, measurement results for the most recent generation of screens, and future activities.

46 - INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AN↗
DOE OSTI2019

Resolving Local Configurational Contributions to X-ray and Neutron Radial Distribution Functions Within Solutions of Concentrated Electrolytes – A Case Study of Concentrated NaOH

Extreme conditions of complex materials often lead to a manifold of local environments that challenge characterization and require new advances at the intersection of modern experimental and theoretical techniques. In this contribution, highly caustic and viscous aqueous NaOD solutions were characterized with a combination of X-ray and neutron radial distribution function (RDF) analyses, molecular dynamics simulations and sub-ensemble analysis. The interpretation of the experimental RDFs extends beyond the traditional understanding of atom-pair interactions and to the individual contributions of specific molecular-scale configurations (below 3.5 Å). This integrated approach yields unique insight into the complex and significant breath of ion solvation and pairing structural motifs present, the experimental sensitivity of RDFs to changes in local geometries, and the challenge of experimentally differentiating the ensemble of all superimposed local environments — a feature of increasing importance within the extreme condition of high ionic strength. This study was facilitated by the development of a chemically resistant sample cell for in-situ neutron total scattering measurements of highly caustic materials at elevated temperature and pressure conditions. Advancing these integrated capabilities is critical for ongoing model validation efforts and for extending the predictive capabilities needed for the extremes of chemical composition, aiding a variety of industrial processes that include advanced nuclear waste remediation and metal refining strategies.

Semrouni, David↗
DOE OSTI2018

One dimensional imager of neutrons on the Z machine

We recently developed a one-dimensional imager of neutrons on the Z facility. The instrument is designed for Magnetized Liner Inertial Fusion (MagLIF) experiments, which produce D-D neutrons yields of ~3 × 10 12 . X-ray imaging indicates that the MagLIF stagnation region is a 10-mm long, ~100-μm diameter column. The small radial extents and present yields precluded useful radial resolution, so a one-dimensional imager was developed. The imaging component is a 100-mm thick tungsten slit; a rolled-edge slit limits variations in the acceptance angle along the source. CR39 was chosen as a detector due to its negligible sensitivity to the bright x-ray environment in Z. A layer of high density poly-ethylene is used to enhance the sensitivity of CR39. Finally, we present data from fielding the instrument on Z, demonstrating reliable imaging and track densities consistent with diagnosed yields. For yields ~3 × 10 12 , we obtain resolutions of ~500 μm.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
NASA NTRS2010

Correlation of Lunar South Polar Epithermal Neutron Maps: Lunar Exploration Neutron Detector and Lunar Prospector Neutron Detector

The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter's (LRO), Lunar Exploration Neutron Detector (LEND) was developed to refine the lunar surface hydrogen (H) measurements generated by the Lunar Prospector Neutron Spectrometer. LPNS measurements indicated a approx.4,6% decrease in polar epithermal fluxes equivalent to (1.5+/-0,8)% H concentration and are direct geochemical evidence indicating water /high H at the poles. Given the similar operational and instrumental objectives of the LEND and LPNS systems, an important science analysis step for LEND is to test correlation with existing research including LPNS measurements. In this analysis, we compare corrected low altitude epithermal rate data from LPNS available via NASA's Planetary Data System (PDS) with calibrated LEND epithermal maps using a cross-correlation technique

McClanahan, Timothy P.↗