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There exists experimental evidence for strong fluctuations of the average neutron multiplicity from resonance to resonance in 239Pu(n,f). These fluctuations have been shown to impact nuclear reactor benchmarks by reducing the criticality. The fluctuating neutron multiplicity can be explained as a consequence of the competition between direct fission and the (n,γf) process. However, there is also evidence for fluctuations of the fission fragment mass yields from resonance to resonance. The mass yield fluctuations may also contribute to fluctuations of the neutron multiplicity averaged over all fission fragment masses. In order to model the contribution to the neutron multiplicity fluctuations by the fission fragment mass yield fluctuations new data on the correlations between fission fragment properties and neutron multiplicities are in need. We present experiments carried out to determine prompt neutron multiplicity correlations with fission fragment masses and total kinetic energies in the reaction 239Pu(n,f). The experiment has been performed at the GELINA facility at JRC-Geel. A twin position-sensitive Frisch-grid ionization chamber is used for fission fragment identification via the double kinetic energy technique. An array of scintillation detectors is employed for neutron counting. Correlations between average neutron multiplicities and fission fragment properties have been measured with improved resolution in both mass and TKE, compared to data from the literature.

New standard (n,f) cross sections other than 235U are important to study the relevant cross sections for Generation-IV power plants. A specific need for such standards is for performing new experiments with quasimonoenergetic neutron beams, such as those produced by Van de Graaf accelerators. Neutrons down-scattered to low energies in the experimental environment, so called room-return, become relevant for this type of measurements. Hence, a standard (n,f) cross section with a fission threshold is of great interest, in order to suppress the contribution from room-return background. For this reason we have performed two experiments at the VDG of the National Physical Laboratory to measure absolutely the (n,f) cross sections of 235U, 238U and 237Np in the fast neutron energy region. Our preliminary results are in agreement with the most up-to-date evaluations.

Recent years have seen an increased interest in prompt fission γ-ray (PFG) measurements motivated by a high priority request of the OECD/NEA for high precision data, mainly for the nuclear fuel isotopes 235U and 239Pu. Our group has conducted a PFG measurement campaign using state-of-the-art lanthanum halide detectors for all the main actinides to a precision better than 3%. The experiments were performed in a coincidence setup between a fission trigger and γ-ray detectors. The time-of-flight technique was used to discriminate photons, traveling at the speed of light, and prompt fission neutrons. For a full rejection of all neutrons below 20 MeV, the PFG time window should not be wider than a few nanoseconds. This window includes most PFG, provided that no isomeric states were populated during the de-excitation process. When isomeric states are populated, PFGs can still be emitted up to 1 yus after the instant of fission or later. To study these γ-rays, the detector response to neutrons had to be determined and a correction had to be applied to the γ-ray spectra. The latest results for PFG characteristics from the reaction 239Pu(nth,f) will be presented, together with an analysis of PFGs emitted up to 200 ns after fission in the spontaneous fission of 252Cf as well as for thermal-neutron induced fission on 235U and 239Pu. The results are compared with calculations in the framework of the Hauser-Feshbach Monte Carlo code CGMF and FIFRELIN.

A new deterministic modelling taking into account the successive emission of prompt neutrons from initial fragments of a fragmentation range {A, Z, TKE} constructed as in the Point-by-Point (PbP) treatment is described. The good agreement of different prompt emission quantities obtained from this modelling (e.g. v(A), v(TKE), E-γ(A), E-γ(TKE), etc.) with the experimental data and the results of the PbP model and other Monte-Carlo models validates the present modelling of sequential emission. The distributions of different residual quantities, including the residual temperature distributions P(T) of light and heavy fragments allow to obtain a new parameterisation of P(T) which can be used in the PbP model and the Los Alamos model.

Experimental activities at JRC-Geel on prompt fission neutron (PFN) emission in response to OECD/NEA nuclear data requests are presented in this contribution. Specifically, on-going investigations of PFN emission from the reaction 235U(n,f) in the region of the resolved resonances, taking place at the GELINA facility, are presented. The focus of this contribution lies on studies of PFN correlations with fission fragment properties. The experiment employs a scintillation detector array for neutron detection, while fission fragment properties are determined via the double kinetic energy technique using a position sensitive twin ionization chamber. This setup allows us to study several correlations between properties of neutron and fission fragments simultaneously. Results on PFN correlations with fission fragment properties from the present study differ significantly from earlier studies on this reaction, induced by thermal neutrons.

The determination of nuclear level densities and radiative strength functions is one of the most important tasks in low-energy nuclear physics. Accurate experimental values of these parameters are critical for the study of the fundamental properties of nuclear structure. The step-like structure in the dependence of the level densities p on the excitation energy of nuclei Eex is observed in the two-step gamma cascade measurements for nuclei in the 28 ≤ A ≤ 200 mass region. This characteristic structure can be explained only if a co-existence of quasi-particles and phonons, as well as their interaction in a nucleus, are taken into account in the process of gamma-decay. Here we present a new improvement to the Dubna practical model for the determination of nuclear level densities and radiative strength functions. The new practical model guarantees a good description of the available intensities of the two step gamma cascades, comparable to the experimental data accuracy.

This work aims at measuring prompt-fission neutrons at different excitation energies of the nucleus. Two independent techniques, the 2E-2v and the 2E techniques, are used to map the characteristics of the mass-dependent prompt fission neutron multiplicity, v(A), when the excitation energy is increased. The VERDI 2E-2v spectrometer is being developed at JRC-GEEL. The Fission Fragment (FF) energies are measured using two arrays of 16 silicon (Si) detectors each. The FFs velocities are obtained by time-of-flight, measured between micro-channel plates (MCP) and Si detectors. With MCPs placed on both sides of the fission source, VERDI allows for independent timing measurements for both fragments. 252Cf(sf) was measured and the present results revealed particular features of the 2E-2v technique. Dedicated simulations were also performed using the GEF code to study important aspects of the 2E-2v technique. Our simulations show that prompt neutron emission has a non-negligible impact on the deduced fragment data and affects also the shape of v(A). Geometrical constraints lead to a total-kinetic energy-dependent detection efficiency. The 2E technique utilizes an ionization chamber together with two liquid scintillator detectors. Two measurements have been performed, one of 252Cf(sf) and another one of thermal-neutron induced fission in 235U(n,f). Results from 252Cf(sf) are reported here.

Nowadays, there is an increased interest in a complete study of the neutron-induced fission of 237Np. This is due to the need of accurate and reliable nuclear data for nuclear science and technology. 237Np is generated (and accumulated) in the nuclear reactor core during reactor operation. As one of the most abundant long-lived isotopes in spent fuel (“waste”), the incineration of 237Np becomes an important issue. One scenario for burning of 237Np and other radio-toxic minor actinides suggests they are to be mixed into the fuel of future fast-neutron reactors, employing the so-called transmutation and partitioning technology. For testing present fission models, which are at the basis of new generation nuclear reactor developments, highly accurate and detailed neutron-induced nuclear reaction data is needed. However, the EXFOR nuclear database for 237Np on neutron-induced capture cross-section, σγ, and fission cross-section, σf, as well as on the characteristics of capture and fission resonance parameters (Γγ, Γf, σoΓf, fragments mass-energy yield distributions, multiplicities of neutrons vn and γ-rays vγ), has not been updated for decades.

The 6Li(n,α)t reaction cross-section is an established standard due to its relatively high cross-section as well as its high Q-value. However, it is only considered a neutron standard up to 1 MeV, because in the neutron energy region 1–3 MeV there exist discrepancies of several per cents between recent measurements [1, 2] and evaluated data files [3]. It has been speculated [4] that neglecting of the particle leaking effect might be part of the explanation why there is a disagreement in this region. Based on R-matrix calculations, in the region around 2 MeV, one also expects three excitation levels of 7Li to significantly influence the cross section [5]. In order to resolve these discrepancies, we perform measurements at the GELINA facility at JRC-Geel with two Frisch-gridded ionisation chambers. The 6Li(n,α)t cross section is measured relative to the 235U(n,f) standard. In order to solve previous encountered problems [6], the setup has been modified and moved to a new flight path station. In this proceeding we show that several problems have been eliminated and discuss possible solutions to newly arisen problems, due to the changed experimental conditions. Preliminary results from new data taken during 2016 with the updated setup are presented.

Cross section measurements in the fast energy region are being demanded as one of the key ingredients for modelling Generation-IV nuclear power plants. However, in facilities where there are no time-of-flight possibilities or it is not convenient to use them, using the 235U(n,f) cross section as a benchmark would require a careful knowledge of the room scatter in the experimental area. In this paper we present measurements of two threshold reactions, 238U(n,f) and 237Np(n,f), that could become a standard between their fission threshold and 2.5 MeV, if the discrepancies shown in the evaluations and in some experimental data can be solved. The preliminary results are in agreement with the present ENDF/B-VII.1 evaluation.

The nuclear de-excitation process of fission fragments (FF) provides fundamental information for the understanding of nuclear fission and nuclear structure in neutron-rich isotopes. The variation of the prompt-neutron multiplicity, ν(A), as a function of the incident neutron energy (En) is one of many open questions. It leads to significantly different treatments in various fission models and implies that experimental data are analyzed based on contradicting assumptions. One critical question is whether the additional excitation energy (Eexc) is manifested through an increase of ν(A) for all fragments or for the heavy ones only. A systematic investigation of ν(A) as a function of En has been initiated. Correlations between prompt-fission neutrons and fission fragments are obtained by using liquid scintillators in conjunction with a Frisch-grid ionization chamber. The proof-of-principle has been achieved on the reaction 235U(nth,f) at the Van De Graff (VdG) accelerator of the JRC-Geel using a fully digital data acquisition system. Neutrons from 252Cf(sf) were measured separately to quantify the neutron-scattering component due to surrounding shielding material and to determine the intrinsic detector efficiency. Prelimenary results on ν(A) and spectrum in correlation with FF properties are presented.

The total deformation energy at the moment of the neck rupture for 236U and 252Cf is calculated using the Strutinsky's prescription and nuclear shapes described in terms of Cassinian ovals generalized by the inclusion of four additional shape parameters: α1, α2, α3, and α4. The corresponding fragment-mass distributions are estimated supposing that each point in the deformation space is occupied according to a canonical distribution. The energy distributions of fission fragments are calculated assuming the point-charge approximation for the Coulomb interaction of fission fragments. Finally, an alternative definition of the nuclear scission point configuration relying on the minimization of liquid drop energy (optimal shape method) is used. Both definitions lead, for these two nuclei, to a reasonably good agreement with the experimental data.

We have developed a new setup to measure prompt γ-rays from the 235U(nth,f) reaction. The setup consists of two multi-wire proportional counters (MWPCs) to detect the fission fragments, two LaBr3(Ce) scintillators to measure the γ-rays. The highly efficient setup was installed at the PF1B beam line of the Institut Laue Langevin (ILL). We have successfully measured the γ-ray spectrum up to about 20 MeV for the fist time in neutron-induced fission.

VERDI (VElocity foR Direct particle Identification) is a fission-fragment spectrometer recently put into operation at JRC-Geel. It allows measuring the kinetic energy and velocity of both fission fragments simultaneously. The velocity provides information about the pre-neutron mass of each fission fragment when isotropic prompt-neutron emission from the fragments is assumed. The kinetic energy, in combination with the velocity, provides the post-neutron mass. From the difference between pre- and post-neutron masses, the number of neutrons emitted by each fragment can be determined. Multiplicity as a function of fragment mass and total kinetic energy is one important ingredient, essential for understanding the sharing of excitation energy between fission fragments at scission, and may be used to benchmark nuclear de-excitation models. The VERDI spectrometer design is a compromise between geometrical efficiency and mass resolution. The spectrometer consists of an electron detector located close to the target and two arrays of silicon detectors, each located 50 cm away from the target. In the present configuration pre-neutron and post-neutron mass distributions are in good agreement with reference data were obtained. Our latest measurements performed with spontaneously fissioning 252Cf is presented along with the developed calibration procedure to obtain pulse height defect and plasma delay time corrections.

The 10B(n,α) reaction cross-section is a well-established neutron cross-section standard for incident neutron energies up to 1 MeV. However, above this energy limit there are only scarce direct (n,α) measurements available and these few experimental data are showing large inconsistencies with each other. These discrepancies are reflected in the evaluated data libraries: ENDF/B-VII.1, JEFF-3.1.2 and JENDL-4.0 are in excellent agreement up to 100 keV incident neutrons, whereas the 10B(n,α) data in the different libraries show large differences in the MeV region. To address these inconsistencies, we have measured the cross section of the two branches of the 10B(n,α) reaction for incident neutron energies up to 3 MeV. We present here the 10B(n,α) and the 10B(n,α1γ) reactions cross section data, their branching ratio and the total 10B(n,α) reaction cross section. The measurements were conducted with a dedicated Frisch-grid ionization chamber installed at the GELINA pulsed neutron source of the EC-JRC. We compare our results with existing experimental data and evaluations.

Investigations of prompt fission neutron (PFN) emission are of importance in understanding the fission process in general and the sharing of excitation energy among the fission fragments in particular. Experimental activities at JRC-Geel on PFN emission in response to OECD/NEA nuclear data requests is presented in this contribution. The focus lies on on-going investigations of PFN emission from the reaction 235U(n,f) in the region of the resolved resonances taking place at the GELINA facility. For this reaction strong fluctuations of fission fragment mass distributions and mean total kinetic energy have been observed as a function of incident neutron energy in the resonance region. In addition, fluctuations of prompt neutron multiplicities have also been observed. The goal of the present study is to verify the current knowledge of PFN multiplicity fluctuations and to study correlations with fission fragment properties. The experiment employs a scintillation detector array for neutron detection, while fission fragment properties are determined via the double kinetic energy technique using a position sensitive twin ionization chamber. Results on PFN multiplicity correlations with fission fragment properties from the present study show significant differences compared to earlier studies on this reaction, induced by thermal neutrons. Specifically, the total kinetic energy dependence of the neutron multiplicity per fission shows an inverse slope FX1TKE/FX2ν approximately 35% weaker than observed in earlier studies of thermal neutron induced fission on 235U. The inverse slope is related to the energy carried away per emitted neutron and is, thereby, closely connected to the energy balance of the fission reaction. The present result should have strong impact on the modeling of both prompt neutron and prompt γ-ray emission in fission of the 236U compound nucleus.

For investigation of the basic characteristics of 14.1 MeV neutron induced nuclear reactions on a number of important isotopes for nuclear science and engineering, a new experimental setup TANGRA has been constructed at the Frank Laboratory of Neutron Physics of the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research in Dubna. For testing its performance, the angular distribution of γ-rays (and neutrons) from the inelastic scattering of 14.1 MeV neutrons on high-purity carbon was measured and the angular anisotropy of γ-rays from the reaction 12C(n, n′γ)12C was determined. This reaction is important from fundamental (differential cross-sections) and practical (non-destructive elemental analysis of materials containing carbon) point of view. The preliminary results for the anisotropy of the γ-ray emission from the inelastic scattering of 14.1- MeV neutrons on carbon are compared with already published literature data. A detailed data analysis for determining the correlations between inelastic scattered neutron and γ-ray emission will be published elsewhere.

Benchmark reactor calculations have revealed an underestimation of γ-heat following fission of up to 28%. To improve the modelling of new nuclear reactors, the OECD/NEA initiated a nuclear data High Priority Request List (HPRL) entry for the major isotopes (235U, 239Pu). In response to that HPRL entry, we executed a dedicated measurement program on prompt fission γ-rays employing state-of-the-art lanthanum bromide (LaBr3) detectors with superior timing and good energy resolution. Our new results from 252Cf(sf), 235U(nth,f) and 241Pu(nth,f) provide prompt fission γ-ray spectra characteristics : average number of photons per fission, average total energy per fission and mean photon energy; all within 2% of uncertainty. We present preliminary results on 239Pu(nth,f), recently measured at the Budapest Neutron Centre and supported by the CHANDA Trans-national Access Activity, as well as discussing our different published results in comparison to the historical data and what it says about the discrepancy observed in the benchmark calculations.

Prompt neutron multiplicity distributions ν(A) are required for prompt emission correction of double energy (2E) measurements of fission fragments to determine pre-neutron fragment properties. The lack of experimental ν(A) data especially at incident neutron energies (En) where the multi-chance fission occurs impose the use of ν(A) predicted by models. The Point-by-Point model of prompt emission is able to provide the individual ν(A) of the compound nuclei of the main and secondary nucleus chains undergoing fission at a given En. The total ν(A) is obtained by averaging these individual ν(A) over the probabilities of fission chances (expressed as total and partial fission cross-section ratios). An indirect validation of the total ν(A) results is proposed. At high En, above 70 MeV, the PbP results of individual ν(A) of the first few nuclei of the main and secondary nucleus chains exhibit an almost linear increase. This shape is explained by the damping of shell effects entering the super-fluid expression of the level density parameters. They tend to approach the asymptotic values for most of the fragments. This fact leads to a smooth and almost linear increase of fragment excitation energy with the mass number that is reflected in a smooth and almost linear behaviour of ν(A).

The investigation of prompt γ-ray emission in nuclear fission has a great relevance for the assessment of prompt heat generation in a reactor core and for the better understanding of the de-excitation mechanism of fission fragments. Some years ago experimental data was scarce and available only from a few fission reactions, 233,235U(nth, f), 239Pu(nth, f), and 252Cf(sf). Initiated by a high priority data request published by the OECD/NEA a dedicated prompt fission γ-ray measurement program is being conducted at the Joint Research Centre Geel. In recent years we obtained new and accurate prompt fission γ-ray spectrum (PFGS) characteristics (average number of photons per fission, average total energy per fission and mean photon energy) from 252Cf(sf), 235U(nth, f) and 239,241Pu(nth, f) within 2% of uncertainty. In order to understand the dependence of prompt fission γ-ray emission on the compound nuclear mass and excitation energy, we started a first measurement campaign on spontaneously fissioning plutonium and curium isotopes. Results on PFGS characteristics from 240,242Pu(sf) show a dependence on the fragment mass distribution rather than on the average prompt neutron multiplicity, pointing to a more complex competition between prompt fission γ-ray and neutron emission.

An experiment aiming at the detailed investigation of angular correlations in the neutron emission from spontaneous fission of 252Cf has been performed at IPHC Strasbourg using the angle-sensitive double ionization chamber CODIS for measuring fission fragments and a set of 60 DEMON scintillator counters for neutron detection. The main aim of the experiment is to search for an anisotropy of neutron emission in the center-of-mass system of the fragments. The present status of the data analysis and the full Monte-Carlo simulation of the experiment are reported in the present paper.

The investigation of the proton even-odd effects in prompt emission in fission for even-Z actinides revealed basic features of the global even-odd effect in prompt emission similar with those in fission fragment yields and some particular aspects, such as: (1) the even-odd effects in prompt emission are the result of two contributions: a dominant intrinsic even-odd effect due to the even-odd nuclear character of fragments reflected in their properties and a weak even-odd effect caused by the fragment distributions (over which the multi-parametric matrices are averaged); (2) oscillations with a periodicity of about 5 mass units are present in different prompt emission quantities corresponding to even-Z and odd-Z fragmentations independent on the size of the even-odd effect in the charge yield Y(Z). These oscillations are due to the periodicity of nuclear properties of fragments; (3) a local even-odd effect in prompt emission quantities has been recently investigated. Similarities between prompt emission quantities and fragment yields were found in the case of the local even-odd effect, too. The local even-odd effect in both fragment charge yields and prompt emission quantities exhibit a pronounced increase at asymmetry values corresponding to fragmentations in which the heavy fragment (Z = 50 and/or N = 82) or the light one (Z = 28) is magic.

The 6Li(n,α) reaction cross-section is commonly used as a reference cross section. However, it is only considered a neutron standard up to 1MeV. For higher energies, there are discrepancies of several per cents between recent measurements and evaluated data files. In order to extend and establish 6Li(n,α) as a neutron standard above 1MeV these discrepancies must be resolved. Our measurement at the GELINA facility at JRC-IRMM in Geel, Belgium is ongoing. We are using a double twin Frisch-grid setup to detect both α-particles from two 6Li targets and fission products from two 235U reference targets. Our targets have thick backings but are employed in pairs, one forward facing and one backward facing. In this way we still cover, in principle, a solid angle of 4π. We present some preliminary results showing that the existing cross-section data is well reproduced around the resonance at 240 keV. The final data taking will start in the beginning of 2016, when the GELINA facility goes online again after a few months of shut down.

The investigation of even-odd effects in the prompt emission of even Z actinides showed a sawtooth shape of ν(Z) with staggering in the asymmetric fission region. Average prompt emission quantities as a function of A, e.g. ν(A), of even Z fragmentations are higher than those of odd Z fragmentations and they exhibit oscillations with a periodicity of about 5 mass units in the asymmetric fission region. This periodicity is not due to the Z even-odd effect in fragment distributions. The even-odd effect in (TKE) is increasing with increasing TKE and it decreases with increasing mass of the fissioning nucleus. The global even-odd effect in total average prompt emission quantities is decreasing with increasing mass of the fissioning nucleus. In the case of an even-odd fissioning nucleus, 234U(n,f), the global even-odd effect in prompt emission quantities exhibits a very slow variation with the incident neutron energy.