Neutron-Induced Fission Cross Section Measurements between 1 eV and 250 MeV

Abstract

The CERN n-TOF facility opens new opportunities due to an efficient neutron production for all energies between 1 eV and more than 200 MeV. The neutrons are produced by spallation of a lead target when bombarded with 20 GeV protons from the PS accelerator. Our experiments aim at measuring fission cross sections on a series of actinides and nuclei involved in the thorium cycle. The knowledge of these fission cross sections is of importance to evaluate the behaviour of such nuclei when introduced in a nuclear reactor since their fission cross sections have an impact on the reactivity of the reactor. Parallel Plate Avalanche Counters have been used as fission fragments detectors.

Keywords:

• fission cross section
• uranium 235
• uranium 238
• bismuth 209