Experimental Measurement of Infinite Dilution Thermal Neutron Self-shielding Factor

Abstract

The absorption of neutrons in media together with its transport properties cause the neutron flux to decrease as it penetrates the material because the absorption of neutrons in the sample itself attenuates the neutrons flux as it goes deeper into the sample. In the present work, the thermal neutron self-shielding factors of indium, gold, zinc, and mercury were determined experimentally. The current results together with those found in the literature were used to validate a mathematical ab initio formulae based on integral cross-section parameters used to compare our results. The complete agreement among these species of data suggests the validity of correlating the neutron migration length in the convex-shaped material with the average chord length described in the mathematical model.

Mathematical formulae for neutron self-shielding properties of media in an isotropic neutron field

“…The geometries for these elements were foils, wires, and infinite slabs. The Experimental data of G th of Mahmoud et al [29], Taylor & Linacre [30], Carre et al [31], Hasnain et al [32], Sola [33], Walker et al [34], Klema [35], and Crane & Doerner [36] were digitized from Martinho et al [22]. The data of Eastwood & Werner [37] for Co Wire was collected from their original values.…”

“…These integral data were used to calculate the epi-thermal selfshielding factor, G epi , and are represented by lines in figure 3. Experimental results from the literature of Experimental data were those of Mahmoud et al [29], Taylor and Linacre [30], Carre et al [31], Hasnain et al [32], Sola [33], Walker et al [34], Klema [35], and Crane and Doerner [36] as adopted from Martinho et al [22]. The uncertainty of G th was added as 10% for all experimental values of G th due to digitization uncertainty.…”

“…Figure 2. Comparison of G th of our approach with Experimental values taken from the literature for (a) Indium samples, (b) Gold samples, (c) Cobalt samples, (d) copper samples, (e) Iron samples and (f) Indium, Gold, Cobalt, copper and Iron samples.Experimental data were those of Mahmoud et al[29], Taylor and Linacre[30], Carre et al[31], Hasnain et al[32], Sola[33], Walker et al[34], Klema[35], and Crane and Doerner[36] as adopted from Martinho et al[22]. The uncertainty of G th was added as 10% for all experimental values of G th due to digitization uncertainty.…”