Study of (n,α) reactions of interest for nuclear reactors: the case of ¹⁹F(n,α)¹⁶N with SCALP detector

¹ LPC Caen, 6 Bd Mar´echal Juin, Caen 14000, France
² EAMEA, BP 19 50115, Cherbourg Arm´ees 50100, France
³ GANIL, Bd Henri Becquerel, Caen 14000, France
⁴ HZDR, Bautzner Landstraße 400, Dresden 01328, Germany
⁵ CEA, DES, IRESNE Cadarache, Saint-Paul-lez-Durance 13108, France

^* e-mail: chevalier@lpccaen.in2p3.fr

Published online: 17 April 2024

Abstract

The ¹⁹ F(n,α)¹⁶ N cross section is of great interest for the development of the next generation IV reactors that could potentially use molten fluoride salts. Significant differences (up to a factor of 3) have been observed for this nucleus regarding the (n,α) channel. In view of improving our knowledge on this (n,α) reactions, the GrACE group (Groupe Aval du Cycle Electronucl´eaire) of the LPC Caen has developed a new detector named SCALP (Scintillating ionization Chamber for ALPha particle detection in neutron induced reactions). This paper deals with the first experiment carried out with this brand new detector at the new NFS facility (GANIL, Caen, France). After discussing the needs for new measurments of the ¹⁹ F(n,α)¹⁶ N reaction, the operating procedure of the SCALP detector will be presented, as well as the experiments that have been conducted using it. Furthermore, insights into the data acquired during our experiment, as well as the ongoing data processing and associated multi-channel analysis, will be provided.