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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 91 records · Page 5
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Large field-of-view event-mode camera for high-precision epithermal neutron resonance imaging

A large-area event-mode camera system coupled with a 6 LiF-ZnS:Ag scintillator is applied for neutron resonance imaging (NRI) on the energy-resolved neutron imaging (ERNI) flight path, also known as Flight Path 5 (FP5), at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE). This novel neutron imaging system, featuring a 120 x 120 mm 2 field of view, efficiently captures resonance information across the entire image in a single acquisition, significantly reducing beam time requirements compared to conventional energy-resolved neutron imaging systems. High-quality neutron radiographs with enhanced spatial resolution are achieved through the reconstruction of neutron events based on observations of individual photons emitted from the scintillator. The system demonstrates reduced background through neutron/gamma discrimination capabilities while maintaining sharpness across a large fields of view. In the measurements presented here, a spatial resolution of approximately 340 μm was achieved using center-of-gravity photon cluster centroiding. We demonstrate the system’s capability for quantitatively determining isotopic distributions in various thin samples, as well as automatically reconstructing complex scenes with overlapping resonances from diverse samples. These results are obtained using standard data analysis tools, despite the relatively slow 6 LiF-ZnS:Ag scintillator, which may not be optimal for absorption resonance detection. The capabilities demonstrated here offer a valuable, versatile, and cost-effective solution for high spatial and temporal resolution, large field-of-view energy-resolved neutron imaging, with potential applications across various scientific and industrial domains.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Total kinetic energy release in the fast-neutron-induced fission of Np 237

The total kinetic energy (TKE) release in the fast neutron-induced fission of 237Np was measured for neutron energies from En = 2.6–100 MeV at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center at the Weapons Neutron Research facility. The post-TKE release decreases nonlinearly with increasing incident neutron energy and can be represented as TKE(MeV) = (174.38 ± 0.72) – (5.11 ± 0.5821) log 10 E n for En > 1 MeV. Analysis of the fragment mass distributions indicates that the decrease in TKE with increasing E n is a consequence of the fading out of shell effects at high excitation energies (resulting in an increase of symmetric fission) and the decrease of the total kinetic energy associated with asymmetric fission with increasing E n .

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Total Kinetic Energy and Fragment Mass Distribution of Neutron-Induced Fission of U-233

Properties of fission in U-233 were studied at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE) at incident neutron energies from thermal to 40 MeV at both the Lujan Neutron Scattering Center flight path 12 and at WNR flight path 90-Left from Dec 2016 to Jan 2017. Fission fragments are observed in coincidence using a twin ionization chamber with Frisch grids. The average total kinetic energy (TKE) released from fission and fragment mass distributions are calculated from observations of energy deposited in the detector and conservation of mass and momentum. Accurate experimental measurements of these parameters are necessary to better understand the fission process and obtain data necessary for calculating criticality. The average TKE released from fission has been well characterized for several isotopes at thermal neutron energy, however, few measurements have been made at fast neutron energies. This experiment expands on previous successful experiments using an ionization chamber to measure TKE and fragment mass distributions of U-235, U-238, and Pu-239. This experiment requires the full spectrum of neutron energies and can therefore only be performed at a small number of facilities in the world. The required full neutron energy spectrum is obtained by combining measurements from WNR 90L and Lujan FP12 at LANSCE.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

The CG-1D neutron imaging beamline at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory High Flux Isotope Reactor

The Oak Ridge National Laboratory Neutron Sciences Directorate has installed a neutron imaging beamline at the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) cold guide hall. CG-1D is one of the three instruments that make up the CG1 instrument suite. The beamline optics and detector have recently been upgraded to meet the needs of the neutron imaging community (better smoothing of guide system artifacts, higher flux or spatial resolution). These upgrades comprise a new diffuser/aperture system, two new detectors, a He-filled flight tube and silicon (Si) windows. Shielding inside the flight tube, beam scrapers and a beam stop ensure that biological dose is less than 50 Sv/hr outside of the radiation boundary. A set of diffusers and apertures (pinhole geometry) has been installed at the exit of the guide system to allow motorized L/D variation. Samples sit on a translation/rotation stage for alignment and tomography purposes. Detectors for the CG-1D beamline are (1) an ANDOR DW936 charge coupled device (CCD) camera with a field of view of approximately 7 cm x 7 cm and ~ 80 microns spatial resolution and 1 frame per second time resolution, (2) a new Micro-Channel Plate (MCP) detector with a 2.8 cm x 2.8 cm field of view and 55 microns spatial resolution, and 5 s timing capability. 6LiF/ZnS scintillators of thickness varying from 50 to 200 microns are being used at this facility. An overview of the beamline upgrade and preliminary data is presented here.

Santodonato, Louis J↗
DOE OSTI2018

Neutron Imaging at LANSCE—From Cold to Ultrafast

In recent years, neutron radiography and tomography have been applied at different beam lines at Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE), covering a very wide neutron energy range. The field of energy-resolved neutron imaging with epi-thermal neutrons, utilizing neutron absorption resonances for contrast as well as quantitative density measurements, was pioneered at the Target 1 (Lujan center), Flight Path 5 beam line and continues to be refined. Applications include: imaging of metallic and ceramic nuclear fuels, fission gas measurements, tomography of fossils and studies of dopants in scintillators. The technique provides the ability to characterize materials opaque to thermal neutrons and to utilize neutron resonance analysis codes to quantify isotopes to within 0.1 atom %. The latter also allows measuring fuel enrichment levels or the pressure of fission gas remotely. More recently, the cold neutron spectrum at the ASTERIX beam line, also located at Target 1, was used to demonstrate phase contrast imaging with pulsed neutrons. This extends the capabilities for imaging of thin and transparent materials at LANSCE. In contrast, high-energy neutron imaging at LANSCE, using unmoderated fast spallation neutrons from Target 4 [Weapons Neutron Research (WNR) facility] has been developed for applications in imaging of dense, thick objects. Using fast (ns), time-of-flight imaging, enables testing and developing imaging at specific, selected MeV neutron energies. The 4FP-60R beam line has been reconfigured with increased shielding and new, larger collimation dedicated to fast neutron imaging. The exploration of ways in which pulsed neutron beams and the time-of-flight method can provide additional benefits is continuing. We will describe the facilities and instruments, present application examples and recent results of all these efforts at LANSCE.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2019

Absolute calibration of the DANCE thermal neutron beam using sodium activation

The calculation of the neutron capture cross section as a function of energy in the thermal range requires a precise knowledge of the absolute neutron flux. In this paper a method of calibrating a thermal neutron beam using the controlled activation of sodium is described. Here, the method is applied to the FP-14 Time Of Flight neutron beam line at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center to calibrate the beam to an uncertainty level of ±5 %.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2023

Quantification of the light output anistropy in deuterated stilbene

Deuterated stilbene is an organic scintillator that is a desirable material for fast neutron spectroscopy using spectrum unfolding techniques without requiring time-of-flight information. Due to the crystal structure of the material, some anisotropy of the light output exists, which is dependent on the direction of heavy charged particle recoil relative to the crystal structure. The anisotropy of trans-stilbene (hereafter referred to as stilbene) has been well characterized in previous work, but for deuterated stilbene, the anisotropy has only been partially characterized along the a and b crystal axes, while the artificial c' axis, which shows the largest anisotropy in stilbene, has not been characterized until this publication. Here, in this work, two deuterated stilbene crystals were characterized with neutron energies up to 35 MeV at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center. For one of the crystals, the response is characterized along the a, b, and c' axes. This characterization shows a distinct anisotropy along the axes in deuterated stilbene, which is very similar to that found in regular stilbene, such that the a axis is the brightest, while the b' and c' axes are approximately 3% and 20%–35% lower relative to the a axis.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Overview of the Neutron Radiography and Computed Tomography at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Applications

The Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) Neutron Sciences Directorate (NScD) has installed a neutron imaging (NI) beam line at the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) cold guide hall. The CG-1D beam line produces cold neutrons for a broad range of user research spanning from engineering to material research, additive manufacturing, vehicle technologies, archaeology, biology, and plant physiology. Recent efforts have focused on increasing flux and spatial resolution. A series of selected engineering applications is presented here. Historically and for more than four decades, neutron imaging (NI) facilities have been installed exclusively at continuous (i.e. reactor-based) neutron sources rather than at pulsed sources. This is mainly due to (1) the limited number of accelerator-based facilities and therefore the fierce competition for beam lines with neutron scattering instruments, (2) the limited flux available at accelerator-based neutron sources and finally, (3) the lack of high efficiency imaging detector technology capable of time-stamping pulsed neutrons with sufficient time resolution. Recently completed high flux pulsed proton-driven neutron sources such as the ORNL Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) at ORNL and the Japanese Spallation Neutron Source (JSNS) of the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex (J-PARC) in Japan produce high neutron fluxes that offer new and unique opportunities for NI techniques. Pulsed-based neutron imaging facilities RADEN and IMAT are currently being built at J-PARC and the Rutherford National Laboratory in the U.K., respectively. ORNL is building a pulsed neutron imaging beam line called VENUS to respond to the U.S. based scientific community. A team composed of engineers, scientists and designers has developed a conceptual design of the future VENUS imaging instrument at the SNS.

additive manufacturing↗
DOE OSTI2016

The Pulse

This is the June 2016 edition of the Pulse newsletter, which presents research completed by the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Oak Ridge National Laboratory Neutron Spin Echo Beamline on NB-2

Neutron Spin Echo (NSE) spectroscopy uniquely measures the Q-dependence of slow relaxation dynamics, and having such a machine at HFIR will advance polarized neutron spectroscopy and promote the study of biophysical and energy materials using neutrons. The 2018 Instrument Advisory Board (IAB) advises Neutron Sciences Directorate, ORNL to upgrade the cold neutron delivery system at HFIR, addressing geometrical challenges in neutron transfer from the bright cold source. This is being optimized now: the entrance to the guide system is moving closer to the source, and more guides are being added. However, there are still significant challenges to making the cold flux at the sample world-class. With the proposed guide system, NB-2 can deliver more than 10 6 polarized neutrons per cm 2 /sec below 8Å, and probably 10Å with further optimization. With no potential for running user experiments with neutrons longer than 15Å, the utility of such a machine for biological studies is limited. However, there is a large demand for this class of spectrometer in materials science, chemical engineering, and nanotechnology. Workshops held over the past decade and the three-source vision have highlighted the community's need for a low-angle, high-energy resolution spectrometer at HFIR. A detailed design study of this spectrometer is needed, focusing on optimizing the neutron delivery system for SANS-type studies. This neutron spectrometer would complement studies already performed on both SNSNSE and BASIS by overlapping and extend the dynamic range accessible, while acknowledging the proposed machine, EXPANSE, at the Second Target Station. Two technologies currently exist for such a spectrometer: traditional DC solenoids like those on BL-15 at SNS and IN15 at the ILL, and RF-flipper-based machines similar to RESEDA at FRMII. Either instrument would satisfy the scientific justification. However, there are strong business and scientific cases to utilize the thermal flux, the resonant expertise developed at ORNL, and the potential to utilize an entangled beam of neutrons to probe quantum matter by adopting the neutron resonant spin-echo configuration.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2020

LANSCE Capabilities

For more than 40 years the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE) has provided the scientific underpinnings in nuclear physics and material science needed to ensure the safety and surety of the nuclear stockpile into the future. In addition to national security research, the LANSCE User Facility has a vibrant research program in fundamental science, providing the scientific community with intense sources of neutrons and protons to perform experiments supporting civilian research and the production of medical and research isotopes.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Irradiation damage concurrent challenges with RAFM and ODS steels for fusion reactor first-wall/blanket: a review

Reduced activation ferritic martensitic (RAFM) and oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) steels are the most promising candidates for fusion first-wall/blanket (FW/B) structures. The performance of these steels will deteriorate during service due to neutron damage and transmutation-induced gases, such as helium/hydrogen, at elevated operating temperatures. Here, after highlighting the operating conditions of fusion reactor concepts and a brief overview, the main irradiation-induced degradation challenges associated with RAFM/ODS steels are discussed. Their long-term degradation scenarios such as (a) low-temperature hardening embrittlement (LTHE)—including dose-temperature dependent yield stress, tensile elongations, necking ductility, test temperature effect on hardening, Charpy impact ductile-to-brittle transition temperature and fracture toughness, (b) intermediate temperature cavity swelling, (c) the effect of helium on LTHE and cavity swelling, (d) irradiation creep and (e) tritium management issues are reviewed. The potential causes of LTHE are discussed, which highlights the need for advanced characterisation techniques. The mechanical properties, including the tensile/Charpy impact of RAFM and ODS steels, are compared to show that the current generation of ODS steels also suffers from LTHE, and shows irradiation hardening up to high temperatures of ~400 °C–500 °C. To minimise this, future ODS steel development for FW/B-specific application should target materials with a lower Cr concentration (to minimise α'), and minimise other elements that could form embrittling phases under irradiation. RAFM steel-designing activities targeting improvements in creep and LTHE are reviewed. The need to better understand the synergistic effects of helium on the thermo-mechanical properties in the entire temperature range of FW/B is highlighted. Because fusion operating conditions will be complex, including stresses due to the magnetic field, primary loads like coolant pressure, secondary loads from thermal gradients, and due to spatial variation in damage levels and gas production rates, an experimentally validated multiscale modelling approach is suggested as a pathway to future reactor component designing such as for the fusion neutron science facility.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2014

Neutron Imaging at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory: Application to Biological Research

The Oak Ridge National Laboratory Neutron Sciences Directorate (NScD) has recently installed a neutron imaging beamline at the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) cold guide hall. The CG-1D beamline supports a broad range of user research spanning from engineering to material research, energy storage, additive manufacturing, vehicle technologies, archaeology, biology, and plant physiology. The beamline performance (spatial resolution, field of view, etc.) and its utilization for biological research are presented. The NScD is also considering a proposal to build the VENUS imaging beamline (beam port 10) at the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS). Unlike CG-1D which provides cold neutrons, VENUS will offer a broad range of neutron wavelengths, from epithermal to cold, and enhanced contrast mechanisms. This new capability will also enable the imaging of thicker biological samples than is currently available at CG-1D. A brief overview of the VENUS capability for biological research is discussed.

biology↗
DOE OSTI2015

Partial gamma-ray cross section measurements in 109Ag(n, x n y p gamma) reactions

We report on absolute partial cross sections for production of discrete γ-rays using 109 Ag(n, xnypγ) reactions with x ≤ 7 and y ≤ 1 in a total of 12 reaction channels. The data were taken using the GEANIE spectrometer comprised of 20 high-purity Ge detectors with 20 BGO escape-suppression shields. The broad-spectrum pulsed neutron beam of the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center’s (LANSCE) WNR facility provided neutrons in the energy range from 0.2 to 300 MeV. The time-of-flight technique was used to determine the incident neutron energies. Partial γ-ray cross sections have been measured for a total of 109 transitions and for neutron energies 0.8 MeV< E n <300 MeV. An estimate of the population of isomers in the (n, n'), (n, 2n) and (n, 3n) channels was made.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2018

Prompt neutron emission in the neutron-induced fission of 239 Pu and the spontaneous fission of 252 Cf: an unfolding story

Prompt neutron emission is one of the major observables in fission and critical to a sustained chain reaction. The prompt neutron emission spectrum and its precision are essential for adequately modeling the chain reaction for any given application. Within this context, a joint program, called Chi-Nu, was initiated by LANL [1] with the objective to improve the precision of experimental measurements of prompt neutron emission for neutron-induced fission of 235 U and 239 Pu as well as the spontaneous fission of 252 Cf. The measurements were carried out at the Weapons Neutron Research Facility at Los Alamos Neutron Science Center using two scintillator arrays for neutron detection and a PPAC (parallel-plate avalanche counter) for fission-fragment detection.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Testing the Activation Analysis for Fusion in OpenMC

OpenMC is a community-developed Monte Carlo neutron and photon transport simulation code. It can perform fission simulations such as fixed-source, k-eigenvalue, and subcritical multiplication calculations on models built using either a constructive solid geometry or CAD representation. To explore the use of OpenMC for fusion activation analysis, a detailed model of the Fusion Neutronics Science Facility (FNSF) was first developed for comparisons against an existing SERPENT model. A 90-degree model of FNSF in Standard-Triangle-Language (STL) CAD format was converted to Constructive Solid Geometry (CSG) using each code's built-in functions, and the geometries were validated by ensuring no cells overlapped and no particles were lost during simulations. The neutron fluxes were calculated and compared for multiple components close to the plasma. The results show differences mostly below 1% in fluxes and averaged 8% for activity and decay heat. Here, the work described in this study tests the CAD-based geometry using the DagMC toolkit in OpenMC and compares the activation analysis of OpenMC to SERPENT code.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗