Templates of expected measurement uncertainties for average prompt and total fission neutron multiplicities

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In this paper, we provide templates of uncertainty sources expected to appear for three measurement types of prompt fission neutron spectra (PFNS): (1) shape measurements, (2) clean-ratio shape, that is the monitor PFNS are measured in nearly exactly the same surrounding as the PFNS of interest, and (3) indirect ratios, where the detector efficiency is backed out from PFNS monitor measurements. Information is also listed that is needed to faithfully include PFNS in nuclear data evaluations to guide experimenters on how to best report data and metadata for their measurements. These templates also suggest a typical range of pertinent uncertainty values and their correlations in case realistic uncertainties cannot be estimated from information on the measurement itself. The templates were based on a literature review, information found in EXFOR for 252Cf, 235, 238U, and 239Pu PFNS, and enhanced by expertise from experimenters contributing to these PFNS templates.

Templates of expected measurement uncertainties for prompt fission neutron spectra

Neudecker,

Devlin,

Haight

et al. 2023

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Templates of expected measurement uncertainties

Neudecker,

Lewis,

Matthews

et al. 2023

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The covariance committee of CSEWG (Cross Section Evaluation Working Group) established templates of expected measurement uncertainties for neutron-induced total, (n,γ), neutron-induced charged-particle, and (n,xn) reaction cross sections as well as prompt fission neutron spectra, average prompt and total fission neutron multiplicities, and fission yields. Templates provide a list of what uncertainty sources are expected for each measurement type and observable, and suggest typical ranges of these uncertainties and correlations based on a survey of experimental data, associated literature, and feedback from experimenters. Information needed to faithfully include the experimental data in the nuclear-data evaluation process is also provided. These templates could assist (a) experimenters and EXFOR compilers in delivering more complete uncertainties and measurement information relevant for evaluations of new experimental data, and (b) evaluators in achieving a more comprehensive uncertainty quantification for evaluation purposes. This effort might ultimately lead to more realistic evaluated covariances for nuclear-data applications. In this topical issue, we cover the templates coming out of this CSEWG effort–typically, one observable per paper. This paper here prefaces this topical issue by introducing the concept and mathematical framework of templates, discussing potential use cases, and giving an example of how they can be applied (estimating missing experimental uncertainties of 235U(n,f) average prompt fission neutron multiplicities), and their impact on nuclear-data evaluations.

Templates of expected measurement uncertainties for average prompt and total fission neutron multiplicities

Neudecker,

Carlson,

Croft

et al. 2023

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In this paper, we provide templates of measurement uncertainty sources expected to appear for average prompt- and total-fission neutron multiplicities, $ \overline\nu_p $ and $ \overline\nu_t $ , for the following measurement types: absolute manganese-bath experiments for $ \overline\nu_t $ , absolute and ratio liquid-scintillator measurements for $ \overline\nu_p $ . These templates also suggest a typical range of these uncertainties and their correlations based on a survey of available experimental data, associated literature, and feedback from experimentalists. In addition, the information needed to faithfully include the associated experimental data into the nuclear-data evaluation process is provided.