Search

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, 7(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. Cf-252(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 17(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 Cf-252(sf) and another one of thermal-neutron induced fission in U-235(n,f). Results from Cf-252(sf) are reported here.

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.

Neutron-induced fission cross sections of 235U and 238U are widely used as standards for monitoring of neutron beams and fields. An absolute measurement of these cross sections at an absolute scale, i.e., versus the H(n,p) scattering cross section, is planned with the white neutron beam under construction at the Neutrons For Science (NFS) facility in GANIL. The experimental setup, based on PPACs and ΔE-ΔE-E telescopes containing Silicon and CsI(Tl) detectors, is described. The expected uncertainties are discussed.

Independent isomeric yield ratios (IYR) of 81Ge, 96Y, 97Y, 97Nb, 128Sn and 130Sn have been determined in the 25 MeV proton-induced fission of natU and 232Th. The measurements were performed at the Ion Guide Isotope Separator On-Line (IGISOL) facility at the University of Jyväskylä. A direct ion counting measurement of the isomeric fission yield ratios was accomplished for the first time, registering the fission products in less than a second after their production. In addition, the IYRs of natU were measured by means of γ-spectroscopy in order to verify the consistency of the recently upgraded experimental setup. From the obtained results, indications of a dependence of the production rate on the fissioning system can be noticed. These data were compared with data available in the literature, whenever possible. Using the TALYS code and the experimentally obtained IYRs, we also deduced the average angular momentum of the fission fragments after scission.

With the Ion Guide Isotope Separator On-Line (IGISOL) facility, located at the University of Jyväskylä, products of nuclear reactions are separated by mass. The high resolving power of the JYFLTRAP Penning trap, with full separation of individual nuclides, capacitates the study of nuclides far from the line of stability. For the production of neutron-rich medium-heavy nuclides, fissioning of actinides is a feasible reaction. This can be achieved with protons from an in-house accelerator or, alternatively, with neutrons through the addition of a newly developed Be(p,xn)-converter. The hereby-obtained fission products are used in nuclear data measurements, for example fission yields, nuclear masses, Q-values and decay spectroscopy. Prior to separation, the ionized reaction products are stopped in a helium-filled gas cell, referred to as the ion-guide. In this work we present simulations of the stopping of fission products in an ion guide developed for neutron-induced fission. The production and extraction rates are evaluated and compared against experimental values.

An architectural performance comparison of bandgap voltage reference variants, designed in a 0.18 mu m CMOS process, is performed with respect to single event transients. These are commonly induced in microelectronics in the space radiation environment. Heavy ion tests (Silicon, Krypton, Xenon) are used to explore the analog single-event transients and have revealed pulse quenching mechanisms in analogue circuits. The different topologies are compared, in terms of cross-section, pulse duration and pulse amplitude. The measured results, and the explanations behind the findings, reveal important guidelines for designing analog integrated circuits, which are intended for space applications. The paper includes an analysis on how pulse quenching occurs within the indispensable current mirror, which is used in every analog circuit.

This paper presents the ongoing analysis of two fission experiments. Both projects are part of the collaboration between the nuclear reactions group at Uppsala and the JRC-IRMM. The first experiment deals with the prompt fission neutron multiplicity in the thermal neutron induced fission of U-235(n,f). The second, on the fission fragment properties in the thermal fission of U-234(n,f). The prompt fission neutron multiplicity has been measured at the JRC-IRMM using two liquid scintillators in coincidence with an ionization chamber. The first experimental campaign focused on U-235(nth,f) whereas a second experimental campaign is foreseen later for the same reaction at 5.5 MeV. The goal is to investigate how the so-called saw-tooth shape changes as a function of fragment mass and excitation energy. Some harsh experimental conditions were experienced due to the large radiation background. The solution to this will be discussed along with preliminary results. In addition, the analysis of thermal neutron induced fission of U-234(n,f) will be discussed. Currently analysis of data is ongoing, originally taken at the ILL reactor. The experiment is of particular interest since no measurement exist of the mass and energy distributions for this system at thermal energies. One main problem encountered during analysis was the huge background of U-235(nth, f). Despite the negligible isotopic traces in the sample, the cross section difference is enormous. Solution to this parasitic background will be highlighted.

The fission product yields are an important characteristic of the fission process. In fundamental physics, knowledge of the yield distributions is needed to better understand the fission process. For nuclear energy applications good knowledge of neutron-induced fission-product yields is important for the safe and efficient operation of nuclear power plants. With the Ion Guide Isotope Separator On-Line (IGISOL) technique, products of nuclear reactions are stopped in a buffer gas and then extracted and separated by mass. Thanks to the high resolving power of the JYFLTRAP Penning trap, at University of Jyvaskyla, fission products can be isobarically separated, making it possible to measure relative independent fission yields. In some cases it is even possible to resolve isomeric states from the ground state, permitting measurements of isomeric yield ratios. So far the reactions U(p,f) and Th(p,f) have been studied using the IGISOL-JYFLTRAP facility. Recently, a neutron converter target has been developed utilizing the Be(p,xn) reaction. We here present the IGISOL-technique for fission yield measurements and some of the results from the measurements on proton induced fission. We also present the development of the neutron converter target, the characterization of the neutron field and the first tests with neutron-induced fission.

This paper highlights some of the main activities related to fission of the nuclear reactions group at Uppsala University. The group is involved for instance in fission yield experiments at the IGISOL facility, cross-section measurements at the NFS facility, as well as fission dynamics studies at the IRMM JRC-EC. Moreover, work is ongoing on the Total Monte Carlo (TMC) methodology and on including the GEF fission code into the TALYS nuclear reaction code. Selected results from these projects are discussed.

Irradiation experiments with well-characterized, quasi mono-energetic neutrons of energies between 32.7 MeV and 175.4 MeV were performed at UCL/Louvain-la-Neuve and TSL/Uppsala. The abundances of relatively short-lived residual radionuclides from 13 different target elements were determined by 7-spectrometry. More than 100 excitation functions of neutron-induced reactions were unfolded based on the neutron spectra and the radionuclide abundances with the aid of additional information that was provided by "guess" excitation functions calculated by the TALYS 1.0 code. The results are compared with the sparse existing data from other authors. The new excitation functions were validated by calculation of and comparison with experimental thick-target production rates. Consistency with neutron excitation functions up to 1.6 GeV, which were derived earlier by unfolding the thick-target production rates, was so demonstrated.

A low-power, wide temperature range, radiation tolerant CMOS voltage reference is presented. The proposed reference circuit exhibits a voltage deviation of 0.8mV for 3-MeV protons total ionization dose of 2Mrad and a voltage deviation of 3.8mV for 10-keV X-rays total ionization dose of 4Mrad while being biased at the nominal supply voltage of 0.75V during X-ray irradiation. In addition, the circuit consumes only 4 mu W and exhibits a measured Temperature Drift of 15ppm/degrees C for a temperature range of 190 degrees C (-60 degrees C to 130 degrees C) at the supply voltage of 0.75V. It utilizes only CMOS transistors, operating in the subthreshold regime, and poly-silicon resistors without using any diodes or external components such as compensating capacitors. The circuit is radiation hardened by design (RHBD), it was fabricated using TowerJazz Semiconductor's 0.18 mu m standard CMOS technology and occupies a silicon area of 0.039mm(2). The proposed voltage reference is suitable for high-precision and low-power space applications.

Simulations of the ANITA spallation neutron source at The Svedberg Laboratory (TSL) are described. Neutron radiation calculations show close agreement with measurements at both standard and close user positions. Gamma radiation characteristics are also predicted.

The Medley detector setup is planned to be moved to and used at the new neutron facility NFS where measurements of light-ion production and fission cross-sections are planned at 1-40 MeV. Medley has eight detector telescopes providing Delta E-Delta E-E data, each consisting of two silicon detectors and a CsI(Tl) detector at the back. The telescope setup can be rotated and arranged to cover any angle. Medley has previously been used in many measurements at The Svedberg Laboratory (TSL) in Uppsala mainly with a quasi-mono-energetic neutron beam at 96 and 175 MeV. To be able to do measurements at NFS, which will have a white neutron beam, Medley needs to detect the reaction products with a high timing resolution providing the ToF of the primary neutron. In this paper we discuss the design of the Medley upgrade along with simulations of the setup. We explore the use of Parallel Plate Avalanche Counters (PPACs) which work very well for detecting fission fragments but require more consideration for detecting deeply penetrating particles.

A new irradiation position has been constructed,characterized, and put into operation at the ANITA facility in The Svedberg Laboratory (TSL) for accelerated testing of components and systems for single event effects. Results of beam characterization measurements are reported. The energy-integrated neutron flux above 10 MeV, amounting to more than 10^7 cm^-2 s^-1 , is the highest among the facilities with atmospheric-like spectra. The employed characterization and simulation techniques are applicable for a broad class of neutron facilities.

Composite detectors made of stainless-steel converters and multigap resistive plate chambers have been irradiated with quasi-monoenergetic neutrons with a peak energy of 175 MeV. The neutron detection efficiency has been determined using two different methods. The data are in agreement with the output of Monte Carlo simulations. The simulations are then extended to study the response of a hypothetical array made of these detectors to energetic neutrons from a radioactive ion beam experiment.

The high-energy neutron field of the VESUVIO instrument at the ISIS facility has been characterized using the technique of thin-film breakdown counters (TFBC). The technique utilizes neutron-induced fission reactions of U-nat and Bi-209 with detection of fission fragments by TFBCs. Experimentally determined count rates of the fragments are approximate to 50% higher than those calculated using spectral neutron flux simulated with the MCNPX code. This work is a part of the project to develop Chiplr, a new dedicated facility for the accelerated testing of electronic components and systems for neutron-induced single event effects in the new Target Station 2 at ISIS. The TFBC technique has shown to be applicable for on-line monitoring of the neutron flux in the neutron energy range 1-800 MeV at the position of the device under test (DUT).

Double-differential production yields of light ions (p, d, t, (3)He, and alpha) from a thin silicon target induced by 175 MeV quasi mono-energetic neutrons were measured using the MEDLEY setup at the The Svedberg Laboratory (TSL) in Uppsala in order to benchmark evaluated nuclear data and nuclear reaction models. The MEDLEY is a conventional spectrometer system which consists of eight counter telescopes. Each telescope is composed of two silicon surface barrier detectors as the Delta E detectors and a CsI(Tl) scintillator as the E detector for particle identification. The telescopes are placed at angles from 20 degrees to 160 degrees in steps of 20 degrees. The measured double-differential yields of light ions are compared with PHITS calculations using the following nuclear reaction options: the high-energy nuclear data library (JENDL/HE-2007), the quantum molecular dynamics (QMD) model, and the intra-nuclear cascade (INC) model.

Inelastic neutron scattering for (12)C, (58)Fe, (89)Y and (208)Pb have been measured at 96 MeV at the The Svedberg Laboratory in Uppsala and double-differential cross sections are reported. Data cover an excitation energy range of 0-45 MeV and the angular intervals are 28 - 58 degrees for (12)C, 26 - 65 degrees for (58)Fe and 26 - 52 degrees for (89)Y and (208)Pb. In this experiment, neutron detection is based on conversion to protons in an active scintillator converter. An analysis technique in which the neutron spectra have been obtained through a folding procedure using the response of the detector system has been used. The results are compared to and are in reasonable agreement with several model predictions and with inelastic neutron scattering data at 65 MeV from University of California, Davis, USA.

Double-differential cross sections for neutron production were measured in 96-MeV neutron-induced reactions at The Svedberg Laboratory in Uppsala, Sweden. Measurements for Fe and Pb targets were performed using two independent setups: DECOI-DEMON, time-of-flight telescope dedicated to the detection of emitted neutrons with energies between a few and 50 MeV and CLODIA-SCANDAL device devoted to measuring emitted neutrons with energies above 40 MeV. Double-differential cross sections were measured for an angular range between 15 and 98 deg and with low-energy thresholds (approximate to 2 MeV). Angular and energy distributions and total neutron emission cross sections have been obtained from those measurements. Results have been compared with predictions given by different models included in several transport codes (MCNPX, GEANT, TALYS, PHITS, and DYWAN) and with other experimental data (the EXFOR database).

Neutron beam characterization measurements have been carried out in both the AN:ITA and QMN modes using the incident proton beam of 180 MeV at the The Svedverg Laboratory (TSL) in Uppsala. The spectral neutron flux data have been obtained by measuring elastic np-scattering with the Medley setup. The experimental results in the ANITA and QMN modes are compared with an MCNPX simulation and with the systematics of QMN spectra, respectively.

The neutron detection efficiency of a sampling calorimeter made of 1 mm diameter scintillating fibers embedded in a lead/bismuth structure has been measured at the neutron beam of The Svedberg Laboratory at Uppsala. A significant enhancement of the detection efficiency with respect to a bulk organic scintillator detector with the same thickness is observed.

We have measured double-differential (angle and energy) cross sections for light-ion (p, d, t, (3)He, and a) production in the interaction of quasi-monoenergetic 175 MeV neutrons with iron and bismuth. Measurements have been performed at the The Svedberg Laboratory, Uppsala (Sweden), using the Medley setup which allows low-energy thresholds and wide energy and angular ranges. Medley is a spectrometer system consisting of eight three-element telescopes placed at angles from 20 degrees to 160 degrees, in steps of 20 degrees. Each telescope is composed of two silicon surface barrier detectors and a CsI(Tl) scintillator, to perform particle identification, fully stop the produced light-ions and measure their kinetic energy. The time-of-flight was used to reduce the contribution from the low energy tail in the accepted incident neutron spectrum. We report double-differential production cross sections for protons, deuterons, tritons, (3)He and alpha particles and compare them with model calculations with TALYS-1.2.

We have measured double-differential yields of protons, deuterons, and tritons produced from carbon induced by 175 MeV quasi mono-energetic neutrons using the MEDLEY setup at the TSL neutron beam facility. The measured data are used for benchmarking of a high-energy nuclear data file, JENDL/HE-2007, and both intra-nuclear cascade (INC) model and quantum molecular dynamics (QMD) calculations.

We have measured double differential cross sections (DDX) for emission of hydrogen- and helium-isotopes in the interaction of 175 MeV quasi-monoenergetic neutrons with Fe and Bi using the Medley setup at the The Svedberg Laboratory (Uppsala, Sweden). We compared experimental DDX with calculations with the TALYS code, which includes exciton model and Kalbach systematics; the code fails to reproduce the emission of complex light-ions, generally overestimating it. We propose an correction for the application of the Kalbach phenomenological model in the TALYS code by introducing a new energy dependence for the nucleon transfer mechanism in the pre-equilibrium emission region. Our results suggest also evidence for multiple pre-equilibrium emission of composite particles at 175 MeV.

The Scattered Nucleon Detection Assembly (SCANDAL) setup at The Svedberg Laboratory has been used to produce neutron elastic scattering cross section data at 175MeV for bismuth and iron. This work presents MCNPX simulations of the experimental setup and aims to describe processes and data important for the upcoming off-line data analysis. In the experiment, neutrons scattered off the target are converted to protons, which are stopped in scintillator crystals. The results include a description of the proton spectra dependence on the neutron-to-proton conversion angle, suggesting a cut at a conversion angle of 15.2 degrees. Calculation of the hit position gates indicates high proton leakage from the crystals. A study of the converter describes the role of its chemical composition and also the role of other plastic scintillators on the proton spectra. The neutron-to-proton conversion efficiency of the converter simulated by MCNPX is 5.1x10(-4) and corresponds to theoretical predictions.

Over the past years an experimental programme has been run at the neutron beam of The Svedberg Laboratory with the aim to study light-ion production induced by 96 and 175 MeV neutrons for a wide variety of targets. The measurements have been conducted using the Medley facility which allows measurement of p, d, t, He-3 and alpha production at fixed angles (from 20 to 160 degrees in steps of 20 degrees) over a wide dynamic range. An overview of the results obtained at the now finished campaign at 96 MeV will be given. Since 2007 we have been running at 175 MeV with C, O, Si, Fe, Bi and U as target material. Preliminary results from these measurements will be shown and compared to model calculations with Talys-1.2. We also summarize the Medley measurements of elastic np and nd scattering and of angular distributions of fission fragments.

Double-differential cross sections of inclusive light-ion (p, d, t, He-3 and alpha) production in carbon induced by 96 MeV neutrons have been measured at eight laboratory angles from 20 to 160 in steps of 20 degrees. Experimental techniques, as well as procedures for data taking and data reduction, are presented. Deduced energy-differential and production cross sections are herewith reported. Experimental cross sections are compared with theoretical reaction model calculations and experimental data in the literature. The measured production cross sections for protons, deuterons, tritons, He-3, and alpha particles support the trends suggested by data at lower energies. Deduced partial kerma coefficients for carbon are also shown.

The experimental setup SCANDAL used for measurements of the differential cross section for elastic and inelastic neutron scattering, has recently been upgraded with larger CsI scintillating detectors to enable measurements at energies up to 175 MeV. Measurements on Fe. Bi and Si have been carried out using the quasi mono-energetic neutron beam at the The Svedberg Laboratory, and data is under analysis. The experimental setup can be used for measurements on a wide range of target nuclei, including C and O, which are important for dosimetry applications. SCANDAL can also run in proton mode, for measurements of the (n,p) reaction. This paper describes the new experimental setup, and reports on its properties, such as energy resolution.

We studied heavy-ion effects on floating gate memories, focusing on the generation of tails in the threshold voltage distributions after irradiation. Using both experiments and simulations based on the Geant4 toolkit, we provide new insight, distinguishing two types of events, large events and small events, which are responsible for the secondary peak and the intermediate region in the post-rad threshold distribution, respectively. Both are well correlated with the energy deposited in the FG. Implications for error rate predictions are discussed.

We have measured light-ion (p, d, t, He-3 and alpha) production in the interaction of 175 MeV neutrons with iron and bismuth with low-energy thresholds and for a wide angular range (from 20 degrees to 160 degrees, in steps of 20 degrees). Measurements have been performed with the Medley setup, semi-permanently installed at the The Svedberg Laboratory, Uppsala (Sweden), where a quasi-monoenergetic neutron beam is available and well characterized. Medley is a conventional spectrometer system and consists of eight telescopes, each of them composed of two silicon surface barrier detectors, to perform particle identification, and a CsI(Tl) scintillator to fully measure the kinetic energy of the produced light-ions. We report preliminary double-differential cross sections for production of protons, deuterons and tritons in comparison with model calculations using TALYS-1.0 code. These show better agreement for the production of protons, while the theoretical calculations seem to overestimate the experimental production of deuterons and tritons.