Analysis of prompt fission neutrons in ²³⁵U(n_th,f) and fission fragment distributions for the thermal neutron induced fission of ²³⁴U

¹ Department of Physics and Astronomy, Uppsala University, Sweden
² EC-JRC - Institute of Reference Materials and Measurements (IRMM), Geel, Belgium

^a e-mail: ali.al-adili@physics.uu.se
^b e-mail: franz-Josef.HAMBSCH@ec.europa.eu

Published online: 21 June 2016

Abstract

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 ²³⁵U(n,f). The second, on the fission fragment properties in the thermal fission of ²³⁴U(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 ²³⁵U(n_th,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 sawtooth 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 ²³⁴U(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 ²³⁵U(n_th,f). Despite the negligible isotopic traces in the sample, the cross section difference is enormous. Solution to this parasitic background will be highlighted.