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At least 145 records · Page 8

Direct Measurements with Neutron Sources [Slides]

The majority of heavy elements are produced through neutron capture. This presentation discusses progress in measurements for the Weak s-Process, how measurements are done, and future capabilities for direct measurement at LANSCE. Conclusion: Major advances have been made in improving neutron capture rates for the weak s process in the last 15 years. Coupling these measurements to stellar simulations is key to understanding where the next opportunities lie. New capabilities for performing measurements, particularly on unstable isotopes are being developed around the world

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

A Technical basis for in-house calibration of 252 Cf neutron source emission rates

10CFR835 stipulates that radiation protection instruments must be calibrated at least annually. Accordingly, calibration of dose rate instruments are reliant on well-known reference fields. The neutron-free-in-air facility (NFIA) located at TA36-0214 provides such a capability for neutron remmeters. One of the reference NFIA sources, 252 Cf, must be replaced every 8-10 years due to its relatively short half-life (2.645 ± 0.008 y). In the past, each newly purchased 252 Cf source has been calibrated at NIST using the Mn-bath technique prior to shipping to LANL. However, because of COVID-19 complications, the most recently acquired 252 Cf source (FTC-CF-7167) has been stored at LANL pending approval to ship to NIST for calibration. Due to the considerable expense in transporting the source to and from NIST, this TBD was written to demonstrate that new sources can be accurately calibrated via intercomparison measurements with older NIST-calibrated 252 Cf sources. It had been previously noted that such measurements yielded emission rates that agreed very well with the official rates established by NIST

252cf↗

Fast-neutron/gamma-ray radiography using a broad-energy neutron source

Transmission radiography is a well-established nondestructive examination technique with widespread application to fields ranging from medicine to security. Traditionally, inspection is performed using a single particle type (such as x-rays). However, the information available using a single probe for traditional radiography is limited. The present work evaluates material discrimination via transmission radiography using the attenuation ratio of monoenergetic gamma rays to a broad spectrum of fast neutrons. Here, the method was assessed using an 241 Am/Be radioisotope source that provides both 4.4 MeV gamma rays and a spectrum of fast neutrons up to 12 MeV. A total of 14 object configurations were measured: seven different materials each with two thicknesses (2.5 cm and 5 cm). The ability to distinguish materials was evaluated and shows more significant variation among atomic numbers than for high-energy x-rays alone, making it easier to distinguish between classes such as low-, mid-, and high-Z materials. These results suggest that superior material discrimination is also possible using a combination of monoenergetic gamma rays and broad-spectrum fast neutrons from a variety of nuclear reactions, such as 11 B(d,nγ) 12 C, that could be implemented in future inspection systems.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗