W. Westmeier

Determination of energetic neutron spatial distribution using neutron induced nuclear recoil events

Abstract Neutron induced nuclear recoils were used to determine the spatial distribution of the weakly moderated spallation neutrons produced in the interaction of 1 GeV protons with lead and uranium–lead targets. CR39 plastic track detectors were used to record neutron-induced recoil tracks. The track density measurements were carried out using a fully automated optical microscope. The experimental results were compared with Monte Carlo simulations using MCNPX-2.1.5 code and an extension code that was written for this purpose. A good agreement was found between the experiment and calculations for normalised results. Applicability of the MCNPX-2.1.5 code for absolute recoil track density determination is discussed.

Interactions of Relativistic Heavy Ions in Thick Heavy Element Targets and Some Unresolved Problems

Interactions of relativistic heavy ions with total energies above 30 GeV in thick Cu and Pb targets (≥ 2 cm) have been studied with various techniques. Radiochemical irradiation experiments using thick Cu targets, both in a compact form or as diluted “2π-Cu targets” have been carried out with several relativistic heavy ions, such as 44 GeV 12C (JINR, Dubna, Russia) and 72 GeV 40Ar (LBL, Berkeley, USA). Neutron measuring experiments using thick targets irradiated with various relativistic heavy ions up to 44 GeV 12C have been performed at the JINR. In addition, the number of “black prongs” in nuclear interactions (due to protons with energies less than 30 MeV and emitted from the target-like interaction partner at rest) produced with 72 GeV 22Ne ions in nuclear emulsion plates has been measured in the first nuclear interaction of the primary 22Ne ion and in the following second nuclear interaction of the secondary heavy (Z > 1) ion. Some essential results have been obtained. (1) Spallation products produced by relativistic secondary fragments in interactions ([44 GeV 12C or 72 GeV 40Ar] + Cu) within thick copper yield fewer products close to the target and many more products far away from the target as compared to primary beam interactions. This applies also to secondary particles emitted into large angles (Θ > 10°). (2) The neutron production of 44 GeV 12C within thick Cu and Pb targets is beyond the estimated yield as based on experiments with 12 GeV 12C. These rather independent experimental results cannot be understood within well-accepted nuclear reaction models. They appear to present unresolved problems.

Experimental and Monte-Carlo studies of the spatial distribution of neutrons around extended Pb-spallation target

Abstract The spatial distribution of thermal and fast neutrons on the surface of a paraffin moderator surrounding a cylindrical lead target, irradiated with 1 GeV protons was studied. The lead target had 8 cm diameter and 20 cm length. The thickness of the paraffin around the target was 6 cm . The slow and fast neutron distributions were determined using LR 115 2B and CR-39 detectors via the 10 B ( n ,α) reaction and neutron induced nuclear recoils, respectively. The observed slow and fast neutron distributions on the surface of the paraffin were compared with Monte-Carlo simulations using the MCNPX-2.1.5 code.

Research into accelerator driven systems using particle track detectors

Abstract In the interaction of relativistic protons with heavy and extended targets such as lead, large number of neutrons is produced in the course of the so-called spallation process. These neutrons can be used to drive a sub-critical nuclear assembly for energy generation and/or for the transmutation of the long-lived nuclear waste isotopes to environmentally safer nuclear species. Such nuclear assemblies are referred to as accelerator driven systems (ADS). Knowledge of the neutron yield in the spallation process and an understanding of the behaviour of these neutrons in the desired sub-critical assembly are the most important and determining factors in the design and operation of these systems. Many parameters related to the neutronics of an ADS can be studied qualitatively as well as quantitatively using solid-state nuclear track detectors (SSNTD). In some circumstances SSNTDs provide the best and the most logical detector option for these investigations. In this paper applications of the SSNTDs into research related to ADS are discussed and some experimental and theoretical results presented.

Neutron Production in Thick Targets Irradiated with High-Energy Ions

The neutron production in thick targets irradiated with 1 GeV protons was studied experimentally, and results are well understood with model calculations, including MCNPX 2.7a. However, one observes very large neutron production rates in the interaction of 44 GeV 12C onto thick Cu-, Pb-, and U-targets beyond calculated rates. The experimental spallation product yield curve in a 20 cm thick Cu target irradiated with 72 GeV 40Ar also cannot be reproduced by several model codes, including MCNPX 2.7a. This may be due to secondary fragments produced in high energy (𝐸kinetic>10 GeV) heavy-ion interactions which destroy target nuclei more effectively than primary ions. These observed experimental facts constitute “unresolved problems” from a fundamental point of view. It may have an impact on radiation protection issues for future heavy-ion accelerators.

Shielding around spallation neutron sources.

Spallation neutron sources provide more intense and harder neutron spectrum than nuclear reactors for which a substantial amount of shielding measurements have been performed. Although the main part of the cost for a spallation station is the cost of the shielding, measurements regarding shielding for the high energy neutron region are still very scarce. In this work calculation of the neutron interaction length in polyethylene moderator for different neutron energies is presented. Measurements which were carried out in Nuclotron accelerator at the Laboratory of High Energies (Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, Dubna) and comparison with calculation are also presented. The measurements were performed with Solid State Nuclear Track Detectors (SSNTDs).

Reexamination of the Claim of Marinov et al. on Discovery of Element 112

Marinov et al. have detected spontaneous fission events in sources separated from tungsten targets irradiated with 24 GeV protons. These fission events could not be attributed to actinides or to any other known isotope. Marinov et al. propose that fission events are due to production of element 112 (Eka-Hg) in the tungsten target. We have addressed Marinov’s claim with a new analysis of their data and modern theoretical model calculations of possible interactions. Using data available in the literature the spontaneous fission half-life of the Eka-Hg was estimated to be ～74 days. This is dramatically longer than the half-life obtained for 283112Cn, produced in the fusion of energetic 48Ca ions with 238U. Monte Carlo calculations show that enough Sr isotopes are produced in the tungsten target to make the production of element 112 via fusion of Sr and W feasible; however, if such fusion was possible it had to be deep sub-barrier fusion.

Neutron spectrometry with He-3 proportional counters

Helium filled proportional counters are widely used in the field of neutron detection and spectrometry. In this work the response of a commercially available He-3 counter is studied experimentally and calculated with Monte Carlo for the neutron energy range from 230 keV up to about 7 MeV. The calculated response of the system is used to determine neutron yield energy distribution emitted from an extended natU/Pb assembly irradiated with 1.6 GeV deuterons. The results are in acceptable agreement with the calculated neutron distribution with DCM-DEM code.

Experience gained during 10 years transmutation experiments in Dubna

Transmutation, the procedure of transforming long-lived radioactive isotopes into stable or short-lived, was proposed for reducing the amount of radioactive waste resulting from technological applications of nuclear fission. The Accelerator Driven Systems (ADS) provide the possibility to generate intense neutron spectrum yielding in an effective transmutation of unwanted isotopes. Such experiments are being carried out for the last 10 years in Synchrophasotron / Nuclotron accelerators at the Veksler-Baldin Laboratory of High Energies of the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research in Dubna, Russia. Thick Pb and Pb-U targets, surrounded by moderators, have been irradiated by protons in the energy range of 0.5−7.4 GeV. Neutron fluence measurements have been performed by different techniques of passive detectors (neutron activation detectors, solid state nuclear track detectors). Transmutation of 129I, 237Np, 239Pu was studied. The results of these experiments are presented and discussed.