Objective
Specific Objectives:
Several tasks in this action concern experiments and/or theoretical studies of more than one year duration. Therefore, some tasks already started in FP5 and many will run beyond the year 2003;
1. Development of improved techniques for charged-particle studies based on digital signal processing techniques;
2. Improvement of the database for the B-10 basic cross section standard (branching ratio and total cross sections);
3. Measurements of fission fragment properties for Cf-251(n,f) reactions;
4. Development of a new experimental setup for mesurements of the Pu-239 (n,f) prompt neutron emission multiplicities at resonance energies;
5. Improved modelling of the fission process (cross sections, mass distributions and neutron multiplicities);
6. Improved modelling of the Doppler broadening of neutron resonances due to thermal vibrations of the target nucleus in the crystal lattice;
7. Demonstration of medical and archaeological applications of the Gelina white neutron source;
8. Support to humanitarian activities in the field of demining;
9. Establishment of the GELINA and VdG large scale facility as a Marie- Curie training centre Anticipated milestones and schedule For most tasks, the milestones are experimental data sent to the NEA Data Bank and publication in a peer reviewed journal.
Several tasks in this action concern experiments and/or theoretical studies of more than one year data analysis. Therefore, some tasks already started in FP5 and many will run beyond the year 2003. Training and Mobility: several actions have been proposed for giving access to the large-scale nuclear facilities of IRMM as training sites at graduate and post-graduate level. These include industrial training courses for engineers at the IRMM accelerators, a JRC Accelerator School, and on-the-job training courses for Nuclear Physicists using the high-resolution neutron time-of-flight facility GELINA and the monochromatic neutron source at the Van de Graaff accelerator. Staff members are teaching at Summer Schools and regularly at the Joint Universities Accelerator School JUAS.
Planned Deliverables:
A task is considered completed when data are sent to the NEA databank, and/or the IAEA standards project and when measurement, analysis and/or theoretical developments are adequately described in a publication. Tasks typically take more than one year. Technical deliverables Cross sections and branching ratios of B-10(n,a) in the energy range below 1 MeV at the VdG Cross sections and branching ratios of B-10(n,a) above 1 MeV at the VdG. Complete measurements at ILL of fission fragment and light charged particle properties datafiles for neutron induced fission of Cf-251 at thermal energies.
Theoretical calculation of cross sections, fission fragment mass distributions and neutron multiplicities for U-235(n,f) and Cf-252(SF) based on experimental results obtained at IRMM. Complete analysis of fission fragment yield distributions for Pu-239(n,f) in the resonance region Resonance parameters for Hf obtained by R-matrix fits to experimental data previously measured at IRMM with account for Doppler broadening using the crystal lattice model. Utilise newly developed elemental analysis technique (Neutron Resonance Capture Analysis, NRCA) for archeological purposes. Perform a feasibility study of the application of NRCA to diagnostics in osteoporosis treatment.
Demining: Detector tests and characterization at GELINA within the DIAMINE collaboration.
Summary of the Action:
The workprogramme of this activity concentrates on measurements of neutron data standards experimental and theoretical work for the understanding of the nuclear fission process development of improved measurement techniques using state-of-the-art digital signal processing technology support of external users for development of new nuclear methods for humanitarian actions and medical applications training of young nuclear scientists and co-operation with researchers from Candidate Countries by providing access to the large-scale nuclear facilities of IRMM.
Rationale:
The datafiles needed by industry and research laboratories have to be complete and accurate, validated by well defined QA procedures. This process of validation requires high-quality neutron data measurements using advanced facilities and equipment, based on well defined neutron sources and cross section standards state-of-the-art data analysis techniques, using improved codes extensive theoretical work in order to complement the experimental nuclear data with calculated values whenever experiments are not feasible close co-operation with other research institutes in order to optimise the use of resources participation in international data evaluation exercises and co-operation with industry for the definition of priorities of the working program IRMM has continuously invested in the modernisation of the GELINA and Van de Graaff accelerators and the laboratory equipment. New developments in the use of ionization chambers and digitizers have been started, which will set up new priorities in the advancement of measurement techniques in FP6. Further priorities will be devoted to the improvement of cross-section standards and traceability.
Traceability includes the neutron energy determination with TOF techniques and fluence measurements, in support of cross-section and resonance parameter determinations. IRMM will also continue to strongly support theoretical efforts for the modelling of neutron-induced reactions. Therefore, the workprogramme of this activity addresses many basic aspects of Nuclear Physics, both experimentally and theoretically. These research activities are an excellent opportunity for training of young nuclear scientists. Traditionally, most of the experiments are carried out in the frame of doctoral thesis in close collaboration with European Universities. Post-doctoral fellows and visiting scientists from the major neutron data laboratories in the world, as well as recently also from CC national institutes, ensure a continuous information exchange on latest developments. Concentration of the working program to the most urgent demands is ensured by active participation in the NEA Nuclear Science Committee and the JEFF Scientific Coordination Group as well as the OECD Working Party on Evaluation Co-operation (WPEC). A continuation of the present involvement in several ISTC collaborations is also foreseen.
Fields of science
Call for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
JRC - Joint Research Centre researchCoordinator
B-2440 Geel
Belgium