A. Letourneau

The Reactor Antineutrino Anomaly

Recently, new reactor antineutrino spectra have been provided for {sup 235}U, {sup 239}Pu, {sup 241}Pu, and {sup 238}U, increasing the mean flux by about 3%. To a good approximation, this reevaluation applies to all reactor neutrino experiments. The synthesis of published experiments at reactor-detector distances 1.5 eV{sup 2} (95%) and sin{sup 2}(2{theta}{sub new})=0.14{+-}0.08 (95%). Constraints on the {theta}{sub 13} neutrino mixing angle are revised.

Proposed search for a fourth neutrino with a PBq antineutrino source.

Several observed anomalies in neutrino oscillation data can be explained by a hypothetical fourth neutrino separated from the three standard neutrinos by a squared mass difference of a few eV(2). We show that this hypothesis can be tested with a PBq (ten kilocurie scale) (144)Ce or (106)Ru antineutrino beta source deployed at the center of a large low background liquid scintillator detector. In particular, the compact size of such a source could yield an energy-dependent oscillating pattern in event spatial distribution that would unambiguously determine neutrino mass differences and mixing angles.

A large HPGe detector for the non-destructive radioassay of an ultra-low-background counting facility

We present the use of a low background counting facility, equipped with a p-type 80% relative efficiency HPGe detector, protected by active and passive shielding, and large enough to count a 10 in photo-multiplier tube (PMT). A GEANT4 Monte-Carlo of this detector was developed and tuned to 3% accuracy. We report the U, Th, and K content in three different types of PMTs used in current neutrino experiments, with accuracies of ~10ppb for U and Th and of ~15ppm for K.

Emission probabilities of γ-rays from 238Np and their use for determination of the thermal neutron capture cross section of 237Np

The relevant absolute gamma-ray emission probabilities from the beta-decay of (238)Np were measured by means of alpha- and gamma-spectroscopic techniques. We obtained values of (25.6+/-0.4)%, (8.9+/-0.2)% and (18.8+/-0.3)% for the 984.45-, 1025.87- and 1028.54-keV gamma-rays, respectively, in agreement with the previous measured ones. These intensities were used to deduce the thermal neutron capture cross section of (237)Np for which a value of (182.2+/-4.5)b is obtained higher by 11% than the recommended value.

Thermal neutron capture cross section for the K isomer {sup 177}Lu{sup m}

The thermal neutron radiative capture cross section for the K isomeric state in {sup 177}Lu has been measured for the first time. Several {sup 177}Lu{sup m} targets have been prepared and irradiated in various neutron fluxes at the Lauee Langevin Institute in Grenoble and at the CEA reactors OSIRIS and ORPHEE in Saclay. The method consists of measuring the {sup 178}Lu activity by {gamma}-ray spectroscopy. The values obtained in four different neutron spectra have been used to calculate the resonance integral of the radiative capture cross section for {sup 177}Lu{sup m}. In addition, an indirect method leads to the determination of the {sup 177}Lu{sup g} neutron radiative capture cross section.

Prompt directional detection of galactic supernova by combining large liquid scintillator neutrino detectors

Core-collapse supernovae produce an intense burst of electron antineutrinos in the few-tens-of-MeV range. Several Large Liquid Scintillator-based Detectors (LLSD) are currently operated worldwide, being very effective for low energy antineutrino detection through the Inverse Beta Decay (IBD) process. In this article, we develop a procedure for the prompt extraction of the supernova location by revisiting the details of IBD kinematics over the broad energy range of supernova neutrinos. Combining all current scintillator-based detector, we show that one can locate a canonical supernova at 10 kpc with an accuracy of 45 degrees (68% C.L.). After the addition of the next generation of scintillator-based detectors, the accuracy could reach 12 degrees (68% C.L.), therefore reaching the performances of the large water Cerenkov neutrino detectors. We also discuss a possible improvement of the SuperNova Early Warning System (SNEWS) inter-experiment network with the implementation of a directionality information in each experiment. Finally, we discuss the possibility to constrain the neutrino energy spectrum as well as the mass of the newly born neutron star with the LLSD data

New neutron long-counter for delayed neutron investigations with the LOHENGRIN fission fragment separator

Some neutrons are emitted from fission products seconds to minutes after fission occurs. The knowledge of these delayed neutrons is essential in the field of nuclear energy. But the probabilities to emit such delayed neutrons (Pn) are not always well known. A summary of different databases and compilations of Pn values is presented to show these discrepancies and uncertainties. The usual methods used to determine these nuclear data are then reviewed with an emphasis on biases and systematic errors to be avoided. To measure precise Pn values, a new neutron LOng-counter with ENergy Independant Efficiency (LOENIE) has been built for the LOHENGRIN separator facility installed at Institut Laue Langevin (FRANCE). Its characteristics and first results obtained are presented.

The Mini-Inca Project: Experimental Study of the Transmutation of Actinides in High Intensity Neutron Fluxes

A new experimental installation has been recently commissioned at the High Flux Reactor of Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL) in Grenoble (France). It gives access to high intensity neutron spectra from pure thermal (5.6 1014 n/s/cm2) to epithermal (2 1015 n/s/cm2). Several of low mass (10 µg) mono-isotopic targets of actinide elements are in the process of being irradiated and analyzed by a number of techniques, from nuclear spectroscopy to off-line mass spectrometry and innovative double-deposit fission micro-chambers. In the present paper we will present the first experiments carried out at the thermal neutron spectrum installation with 242Pu, 241-243Am samples.

Recent developments on micrometric fission chambers for high neutron fluxes

with the development of innovative nuclear systems and new generation neutron sources, the nuclear instrumentation should be adapted. Since several years, we developed microscopic fission chambers to study the transmutation of minor actinides in high thermal-neutron fluxes. The recent developments done to fulfill the drastic conditions of irradiations are described in this paper together with the feedback from the measurements. Two installations were used: the HFR of the ILL for its highest thermal neutron flux of the world and the MEGAPIE target which was the first 1 MW liquid Pb-Bi spallation target in the world.

Comparative Analysis of ENDF, JEF and JENDL Data Libraries by Modelling High Temperature Reactors and Plutonium Based Fuel Cycles

The gas turbine modular helium-cooled reactor (GT-MHR)1) is known probably as the best option for the maximum plutonium destruction in once-through cycle, even though the industrial fabrication of coated particle fuel still has to be proved. We perform detailed simulations along these lines by comparing different sets of data libraries in terms of keff eigenvalues, the length of the fuel cycle, neutronic characteristics and the evolution of fuel composition in particular. In all cases the same Monteburns code system2) is used making our results dependent only on the evaluated data tables. We show that in general the performance of GT-MHR is not considerably influenced by the choice of the data libraries employed. Nevertheless, a number of major differences among ENDF, 3) JENDL4) and JEF5) data files are identified and quantified in terms of the averaged one-group cross sections both for military (MPu) and civil (CPu) plutonium based fuel cycles.