New capability for indirect neutron capture measurements: The DICER instrument at LANSCE

¹ Physics division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, 87545, NM, USA
² Chemistry Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, 87545, NM, USA
³ Theoretical Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, 87545, NM, USA
⁴ X-Computational Physics Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, 87545, NM, USA

^* e-mail: athanasios.stamatopoulos@lanl.gov

Published online: 24 February 2022

Abstract

The Device for Indirect Capture on Radionuclides (DICER) implements a new indirect technique for (n,γ) studies in which the neutron capture rate is determined from analysis of resonance neutron transmission data. The DICER instrument and associated radionuclide production at the Isotope Production Facility (IPF), both at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE), as well radioactive sample fabrication, have been under development in the last few years. First measurements on a radioactive sample (⁸⁸Zr, t_½=83.4 days), which was recently reported to have an extremely large thermal neutron capture cross section and resonance integral [1, 2], are planned for the winter of 2021. A performance overview, brief details on the ⁸⁸Zr fabrication and proof of good operation results will be presented.