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The study of prompt fission γ rays (PFGs) is crucial for understanding the energy and angular momentum distribution in fission, and over the last decade there has been an revived interest in this aspect of fission. We present the new experimental setup at the Oslo Cyclotron Laboratory for detecting PFGs resulting from charged particle-induced fission. Additionally, PFGs from the reaction 240Pu(d,pf) were measured in April 2018, and the fission gated proton-γ coincidence spectrum is shown. In order to explore the dependence of the PFG emission on the excitation energy and angular momentum of the compound nucleus, we plan several experiments where charged particle reactions are used to induce fission in various plutonium isotopes. The final results will be compared to predictions made by the Fission Reaction Event Yield Algorithm (FREYA) in an upcoming publication, to benchmark the current modelling of both the PFGs and the fission process.

Precise spectroscopic information on the fast neutron induced fission of the 238U(n,f) reaction was recently gained using a new technique which involved coupling of the Miniball high resolution y-ray spectrometer and the LICORNE directional neutron source. The experiment allowed measurement of the isotopic fission yields for around 40 even-even nuclei at an incident neutron energy of around 2 MeV where yield data are very sparse. In addition spectroscopic information on very neutron-rich fission products was obtained. Results were compared to models, both the JEFF-3.1.1 data base and the GEF code, and large discrepancies for the S1 fission mode in the Sn/Mo isotope pair were discovered. This suggests that current models are overestimating the role played by spherical shell effects in fast neutron induced fission. In late 2017 and 2018 the nu-ball hybrid spectrometer will be constructed at the IPN Orsay to perform further experimental investigations with directional neutrons coupled to a powerful hybrid Ge/LaBr3 detector array. This will open up new possibilities for measurements of fission yields for fast-neutron-induced fission using the spectroscopic technique and will be complimentary to other methods being developed.

Prompt fission gamma-ray spectra (PFGS) have been measured for the 239Pu(n,f) reaction using fast neutrons at Ēn=1.81 MeV produced by the LICORNE directional neutron source. The setup makes use of LaBr3 scintillation detectors and PARIS phoswich detectors to measure the emitted prompt fission gamma rays (PFG). The mean multiplicity, average total energy release per fission and average energy of photons are extracted from the unfolded PFGS. These new measurements provide complementary information to other recent work on thermal neutron induced fission of 239Pu and spontaneous fission of 252Cf.

At the Extreme Light Infrastructure - Nuclear Physics facility (ELI-NP), high-power laser systems together with high-brilliance gamma beams are the main research tools. The status of the construction of the facility is reported. The emerging photofission experimental program with brilliant gamma beams at ELI-NP is presented with emphasis on the prepared day-one experiments. The physics cases of the flagship experiments at ELI-NP are discussed, as well as the related instruments which are under construction for their realization.

We present the results of two experiments where we have measured for the first time simultaneously the fission and gamma-decay probabilities induced by different surrogate reactions. In particular, we have investigated the 238U(d,p), 238U(3He,t) and 238U(3He,4He) reactions as surrogates for the neutron-induced n + 238U, n + 237Np and n + 236U reactions, respectively. In the region where gamma emission, neutron emission and fission compete, our results for the fission probabilities agree fairly well with the neutron-induced data, whereas our gamma-decay probabilities are significantly higher than the neutron-induced data. The interpretation of these results is not obvious and is discussed within the framework of the statistical model with preliminary results for calculated spin-parity distributions populated in surrogate reactions. We also present future plans for surrogate-reaction studies in inverse kinematics with radioactive-ion beams at storage rings.

The knowledge of prompt fission γ-ray emission has been of major interest in reactor physics since few years, but it is also important in the understanding of the fission process. We present here measurements of prompt γ-ray spectra emitted in the fission of 238U. A simple experimental method was used to measure the prompt fission gamma-ray spectrum up to 10 MeV. In this approach, the gamma-rays are measured with a bismuth germanate (BGO) detector which offers two significant advantages with respect to other gamma-ray detectors: a high peak-to-total ratio and a high efficiency. The prompt fission neutrons are rejected by the time-of-flight technique between the BGO detector and a fission trigger given by a fission chamber. Prompt fission gamma-ray spectra were measured for 1.7, 5.2 and 15.6 MeV incoming neutron energies at the CEA, DAM, DIF Van de Graaff accelerator.

Numerous domains, in fundamental research as well as in applications, require the study of reactions induced by neutrons with energies from few MeV up to few tens of MeV. Reliable measurements also are necessary to improve the evaluated databases used by nuclear transport codes. This energy range covers a large number of topics like transmutation of nuclear waste, design of future fission and fusion reactors, nuclear medicine or test and development of new detectors. A new facility called Neutrons For Science (NFS) is being built for this purpose on the GANIL site at Caen (France). NFS is composed of a pulsed neutron beam for time-of-flight facility as well as irradiation stations for cross-section measurements. Neutrons will be produced by the interaction of deuteron and proton beams, delivered by the SPIRAL-2 linear accelerator, with thick or thin converters made of beryllium or lithium. Continuous and quasi-mono-energetic spectra will be available at NFS up to 40 MeV. In this fast energy region, the neutron flux is expected to be up to 2 orders of magnitude higher than at other existing time-of-flight facilities. In addition, irradiation stations for neutron-, proton- and deuteron-induced reactions will allow performing cross-section measurements by the activation technique. After a description of the facility and its characteristics, the experiments to be performed in the short and medium term will be presented.

The γ-ray emissions from a radiopure cerium-bromide crystal with a mass of 4381 g were measured for a total of 497.4 d by means of high-resolution γ-ray spectrometry in the HADES underground laboratory at a depth of 500 m.w.e. A search for 0/2νϵϵ and 0/2νϵβ+ double beta decay transitions of Ce136 and Ce138 was performed using Bayesian analysis techniques. No signals were observed for a total of 35 investigated decay modes. 90% credibility limits were set in the order of 1018-1019 yr. Existing constraints from a cerium oxide powder measurement were tested with a different cerium compound and half-life limits could be improved for most of the decay modes. The most likely accessible decay mode of the Ce136 2νϵϵ transition into the 01+ state of Ba136 results in a new best 90% credibility limit of 5.0×1018 yr.

The LICORNE neutron source is a new device at the ALTO facility. Its use of inverse kinematics makes the production of naturally focused neutron beams possible with an energy range of 0.5 to 4 MeV. This is perfect for any studies concerning fast neutron induced reaction based on detection setup that require to be placed in a compact geometry – such as Ge based γ detection setup. In this paper, neutron production with LICORNE is described. The development of a gascell target and the extension of the energy range up to 7 MeV with the p(11B,n)11C are presented. An overview of the major research fields studied with LICORNE is given and two types of experiment are presented. The first one dedicated to prompt fission γ-ray emission in fission, as a function of incident neutron energy, is described. Some preliminary results are shown. The second, in the context of the MINORCA campaign, is detailed. The most recent outcomes in the data analysis process are also presented.

Recent developments for an active uranium-hexafluoride-loaded gas target as well as results on the detector gas properties are presented. The gas of choice is a mixture of argon with small amounts of UF6. This contribution presents the experimental setup and focusses on the electron drift velocity with increasing UF6 content. A time-dependent decrease in electron drift velocity is observed in our setup.

LICORNE is a new neutron source recently installed at the tandem accelerator of the Institut de Physique Nucléaire d'Orsay, where a Li7-beam is used to bombard a hydrogen-containing target to produce an intense forward-directed neutron beam. The directionality of the beam, which is the unique characteristic of LICORNE, will permit the installation of γ-ray detectors dedicated to the investigation of fission fragment de-excitation which are unimpeded by neutrons from the source. A first experimental program will focus on the measurement of prompt γ-ray emission in the neutron-induced fission of fertile and fissile isotopes at incident neutron energies relevant for the core design of Generation-IV nuclear reactors. Other potential uses of the LICORNE facility for both fundamental and applied physics research are also presented.

We present new spectral data of prompt γ-ray emission from the spontaneous fission of 252Cf. This work was performed in direct response to an OECD/NEA high priority data request. We discuss the impact of our new data on evaluated nuclear data tables not only for this nuclide, but also for 238U and 241Pu, which are always produced in a reactor. Furthermore, we will show results from our investigation of prompt γ-ray emission from the reaction 235 U(nth, f), measured in at the Centre for Energy Research of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences in Budapest, Hungary. Spectral data obtained with three different detectors are consistent and led to an uncertainty on total energy and multiplicity considerably smaller than requested by the OECD/NEA.

The VERDI time-of-flight spectrometer is dedicated to measurements of fission product yields and of prompt neutron emission data. Pre-neutron fission-fragment masses will be determined by the double time-of-flight (TOF) technique. For this purpose an excellent time resolution is required. The time of flight of the fragments will be measured by electrostatic mirrors located near the target and the time signal coming from silicon detectors located at 50 cm on both sides of the target. This configuration, where the stop detector will provide us simultaneously with the kinetic energy of the fragment and timing information, significantly limits energy straggling in comparison to legacy experimental setup where a thin foil was usually used as a stop detector. In order to improve timing resolution, neutron transmutation doped silicon will be used. The high resistivity homogeneity of this material should significantly improve resolution in comparison to standard silicon detectors. Post-neutron fission fragment masses are obtained form the time-of-flight and the energy signal in the silicon detector. As an intermediary step a diamond detector will also be used as start detector located very close to the target. Previous tests have shown that poly-crystalline chemical vapour deposition (pCVD) diamonds provides a coincidence time resolution of 150 ps not allowing complete separation between very low-energy fission fragments, alpha particles and noise. New results from using artificial single-crystal diamonds (sCVD) show similar time resolution as from pCVD diamonds but also sufficiently good energy resolution.

For the development of future nuclear fission applications and for a responsible handling of nuclear waste the a-priori assessment of the fission-fragments’ heat production and toxicity is a fundamental necessity. The success of an indispensable modelling of the fission process strongly depends on a good understanding of the particular mechanism of scission, the mass fragmentation and partition of excitation energy. Experimental observables are fission-fragment properties like mass- and energy-distributions, and the prompt neutron as well as γ-ray multiplicities and emission spectra. The latter quantities should preferably be known as a function of fragment mass and excitation energy. Those data are highly demanded as published by the OECD-NEA in its high priority data request list. With the construction of the double (v, E) spectrometer VERDI we aim at measuring pre- and post-neutron masses directly and simultaneously to avoid prompt neutron corrections. From the simultaneous measurement of pre- and post-neutron fission-fragment data the prompt neutron multiplicity may then be inferred fully correlated with fragment mass yield and total kinetic energy. Using an ultra-fast fission event trigger spectral prompt fission γ-ray measurements may be performed. For that purpose recently developed lanthanum-halide detectors, with excellent timing characteristics, were coupled to the VERDI spectrometer allowing for a very good discrimination of fission γ-rays and prompt neutrons due to their different time-of-flight.

The design of new generation fast nuclear reactors requires highly accurate cross-section measurements in the MeV energy region. The 242Pu fission cross section is of particular interest for Pu incineration and nuclear waste production. There are discrepancies around 1 MeV incident neutron energy between libraries and among experimental data. Some data suggest the presence of a strong structure between 1 and 1.2 MeV whereas it is barely visible on some other data and its shape is very different among evaluations. The large majority of the 242Pu(n,f) measurements have been carried out with respect to the 235U(n,f) secondary-standard cross section. This introduces a strong correlation between measurements from different research teams. Moreover, this reference cross section exhibits structures, in particular a steep increase of +10% at 1 MeV. Therefore, we aim to re-measure the 242Pu(n,f) cross section relative to the primary-standard 1H(n,n)p cross section, by using a proton recoil detector. This standard has a very high accuracy (0.4%), is not used for other 242Pu measurements, and is structureless. An experiment has been carried out in October 2022 at the MONNET facility in JRC Geel, with incident neutron energies from 0.9 MeV to 2.0 MeV. The experimental setup will be presented, and the analysis procedure will be detailed.

A programme to study photon- and neutron-induced reactions of medical interest, as well as accelerator-based methods of medical radionuclide production, has been instituted at JRC-Geel, making use of both existing and new infrastructure. A new electron beamline that can deliver quasi-monoenergetic beams has been commissioned at the GELINA electron linac and will be primarily dedicated to the study of photonuclear reactions and for medical radioisotope production studies via photon irradiation. The recently renewed MONNET 3.5 MV Tandem accelerator provides light ion beams for reactionbased quasi-mono-energetic neutron production and has been used for the study of 99Mo production via neutron irradiation of molybdenum nanoparticles. In this work we present an overview of the medical radionuclide activities at JRCGeel, with particular attention to aspects of the design, development and operational challenges of the new GELINA electron beamline. Some future perspectives of the programme are also discussed.

Monte-Carlo simulations to calculate the number of prompt particles emitted during fission were performed using the Fifrelin code and compared to recent experimental data. We show that we are able to reproduce both the neutron and γ-ray multiplicity distributions as a function of the pre-neutron mass of the fission fragments using a single consistent set of parameters. This result was made possible by using an energy-dependent spin cut-off model, driving the initial total angular momentum of the fission fragments, together with microscopic level densities from the HFB plus combinatorial method. We also discuss, how the initial excitation-energy sharing shapes the TKE-dependent γ-ray multiplicity.

Prompt-fission γ rays are responsible for approximately 5% of the total energy released in fission, and therefore important to understand when modeling nuclear reactors. In this work we present prompt γ-ray emission characteristics in fission as a function of the nuclear excitation energy of the fissioning system. Emitted γ-ray spectra were measured, and γ-ray multiplicities and average and total γ energies per fission were determined for the U(d,pf)233 reaction for excitation energies between 4.8 and 10 MeV, and for the Pu(d,pf)239 reaction between 4.5 and 9 MeV. The spectral characteristics show no significant change as a function of excitation energy above the fission barrier, despite the fact that an extra ∼5 MeV of energy is potentially available in the excited fragments for γ decay. The measured results are compared with model calculations made for prompt γ-ray emission with the fission model code gef. Further comparison with previously obtained results from thermal neutron induced fission is made to characterize possible differences arising from using the surrogate (d,p) reaction.

Prompt-fission γ rays are responsible for approximately 5% of the total energy released in fission, and therefore important to understand when modeling nuclear reactors. In this work we present prompt γ-ray emission characteristics in fission as a function of the nuclear excitation energy of the fissioning system. Emitted γ-ray spectra were measured, and γ-ray multiplicities and average and total γ energies per fission were determined for the U(d,pf)233 reaction for excitation energies between 4.8 and 10 MeV, and for the Pu(d,pf)239 reaction between 4.5 and 9 MeV. The spectral characteristics show no significant change as a function of excitation energy above the fission barrier, despite the fact that an extra ∼5 MeV of energy is potentially available in the excited fragments for γ decay. The measured results are compared with model calculations made for prompt γ-ray emission with the fission model code gef. Further comparison with previously obtained results from thermal neutron induced fission is made to characterize possible differences arising from using the surrogate (d,p) reaction.

The VElocity foR Direct particle Identification spectrometer (VERDI) is a 2E-2v fission spectrometer that allows the measurement of the total mass distribution of secondary fission fragments with a resolving power of 1-2 u. It consists of two time-of-flight (ToF) arms, with one Micro Channel Plate (MCP) detector and up to 32 Silicon PIPS (Passive Implanted Planar Silicon) detectors per arm. The MCPs provide the start timing signals and the PIPS detectors provide both the energy and the stopping ToF signals. In real conditions, the PIPS signals are affected by the formation of plasma from the interaction between the heavy ions and the detector material. The plasma contributes to a reduction in signal amplitude, resulting in a Pulse Height Defect (PHD), and introduces a signal delay, known as Plasma Delay Time (PDT). An experiment to characterize the PDT and PHD was performed at the LOHENGRIN recoil separator of the Institut Laue Langevin (ILL). Characteristic fission fragments from the 239Pu(n,f) reaction were separated based on their A/Q and E/Q ratios, allowing the measurement of a wide range of energies from 21 to 110 MeV and masses between 80 and 149 u. Six PIPS detectors were characterized to study their individual responses to the PDT and PHD effects. The signals were recorded in a digital acquisition system to completely exploit the offline analysis capabilities. Achieved combined timing and energy resolutions for fission fragments varied between 72(2) ps and 100(4) ps and 1.4% - 2% (FWHM), respectively. Preliminary PHD and PDT data are presented from the masses A=85, 95, 130 and 143. The PHD trends are strongly correlated with both the ion energy and mass. The PDT, on the other hand, shows a strong variation as a function of the ion kinetic energy but a smaller dependence on the ion mass.

Actinide and lanthanide thin layers with specific requirements regarding thickness, homogeneity, chemical purity, mechanical stability, and backing properties are applied in a multitude of physics and chemistry experiments. A novel target preparation method, the so-called “Drop-on-Demand” (DoD) technique, based on a commercial nanoliter (nL) dispenser is applied since a few years in the Nuclear Chemistry unit at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz. The wetting behaviour of the nL droplets on the substrate’s surface is a key parameter determining the spatial distribution of the deposited material after evaporation. By switching from aqueous to organic solvents as well as by substrate surface modifications, the wetting behaviour can be influenced. Recent investigations on this influence and applications of the DoD method are presented. The produced actinide deposits were characterized by optical and scanning electron microscopy, by α spectroscopy as well as by radiographic imaging.