TRIGA reactor absolute neutron flux measurement using activated isotopes

Activation analysis is used in this work to measure the flux of a fast neutron beamline at a spallation source over a wide energy spectrum, extending from thermal to hundreds of MeV. The experimental method is based on the irradiation of multiple elements and measurements of activation γ-lines using a High Purity Germanium detector. The method for data analysis is then described in detail, with particular attention to the evaluation of uncertainties. The reactions have been chosen so to cover the whole energy range, using mainly (n,γ) for thermal and epithermal neutrons, and threshold reactions for the fast region. The variety of these reactions allowed for the unfolding of the neutron spectrum, using an algorithm based on a Bayesian statistical model, and limited correlations have been found between the energy groups.

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“…and, thus, the neutron flux intensity Φ = ϕ(E)dE can be calculated from the measurement of only one reaction [23,24]:…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Measurement of the neutron flux at spallation sources using multi-foil activation

Chiesa

Nastasi

Cazzaniga

et al. 2018

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A:

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“…Alpha and gamma spectroscopy and ICPMS analysis were performed at LNGS [46,47], MilanoBicocca [48], Baradello Laboratory [49] and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) [50]. Neutron activation analysis was carried out in collaboration with the Laboratory of Applied Nuclear Energy (LENA) in Pavia, Italy [51,52].…”

Section: Materials Assaymentioning

confidence: 99%

The projected background for the CUORE experiment

Alduino¹,

Alfonso²,

Artusa³

et al. 2017

Eur. Phys. J. C

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142

146

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The Cryogenic Underground Observatory for Rare Events (CUORE) is designed to search for neutrinoless double beta decay of 130 Te with an array of 988 TeO 2 bolometers operating at temperatures around 10 mK. The experiment is currently being commissioned in Hall A of Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso, Italy. The goal of CUORE is to reach a 90% C.L. exclusion sensitivity on the 130 Te decay half-life of 9 × 10 25 years after 5 years of data taking. The main issue to be addressed to accomplish this aim is the rate of background events in the region of interest, which must not be higher than 10 −2 counts/keV/kg/year. We developed a detailed Monte Carlo simulation, based on results from a campaign of material screening, radioassays, and bolometric measurements, to evaluate the expected background. This was used over the years to guide the construction strategies of the experiment and we use it here to project a background model for CUORE. In this paper we report the results of our study and our expectations for the background rate in the energy region where the peak signature of neutrinoless double beta decay of 130 Te is expected.

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“…Finally, fuel burnup calculations were carried out for the period between 1965 and 2013, exploiting the MCNP simulations and the historical documentation about reactor operation [5]. Moreover, benchmark measurements were performed with the neutron activation technique to evaluate the intensity, the energy spectrum and the spatial distribution of the neutron flux in the reactor core and in the main irradiation facilities [6,7,8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A new model with Serpent for the first criticality benchmarks of the TRIGA Mark II reactor

Castagna

Chiesa

Cammi

et al. 2018

Annals of Nuclear Energy

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We present a new model, developed with the Serpent Monte Carlo code, for neutronics simulation of the TRIGA Mark II reactor of Pavia (Italy). The complete 3D geometry of the reactor core is implemented with high accuracy and detail, exploiting all the available information about geometry and materials. The Serpent model of the reactor is validated in the fresh fuel configuration, through a benchmark analysis of the first criticality experiments and control rods calibrations. The accuracy of simulations in reproducing the reactivity difference between the low power (10 W) and full power (250 kW) reactor condition is also tested. Finally, a direct comparison between Serpent and MCNP simulations of the same reactor configurations is presented.

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TRIGA reactor absolute neutron flux measurement using activated isotopes

Cited by 40 publications

References 5 publications

Measurement of the neutron flux at spallation sources using multi-foil activation

Measurement of the neutron flux at spallation sources using multi-foil activation

The projected background for the CUORE experiment

A new model with Serpent for the first criticality benchmarks of the TRIGA Mark II reactor

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