Prompt Fission Gamma-Ray Measurements at UML Research Reactor

¹ Physics and Applied Physics PhD candidate, University of Massachusetts-Lowell 01854, USA
² Los Alamos National Laboratory, Nuclear and Radiochemistry Group, Los Alamos 87545, USA
³ Physics and Applied Physics Faculty, University of Massachusetts-Lowell 01854, USA

Published online: 28 September 2020

Abstract

Neutron-induced fission of ²³⁵U was studied at the thermal column of the UMass Lowell 1 MW Research Reactor. A collimated, 2.25-inch diameter beam of thermal neutrons with the flux of ~5x10⁵ n/cm²/sec induced fission reaction on a plate of low-enriched uranium with the areal density ~25 mg/cm² of ²³⁵U. We have used the prompt fission-neutron tagging method to identify the fission reaction in the off-line analysis. The method employs the pulse-shape discrimination of neutrons and gamma-ray events in stilbene scintillator and enables identification of coincidence events of prompt fission gamma-rays and prompt fission neutrons in coincidence time intervals less than 20-30 ns. The prompt gamma-ray radiation was detected using two co-linear NaI(Tl) detectors. The measured spectra of prompt-fission gamma rays between 150 keV and 6 MeV are presented. The results from these initial measurements demonstrate the feasibility of the experimental method. Future measurements with extended arrays of detectors are planned.