Neutron-induced fission reaction studies with minor actinides using a double Frisch grid fission detector

TL;DR

This paper characterizes a double Frisch grid fission detector used for neutron-induced fission cross-section measurements of actinides, aiming to improve data for nuclear reactor safety and design.

Contribution

It presents the design, characterization, and preliminary performance analysis of a double Frisch grid fission detector for actinide fission studies.

Findings

Detector operates stably with a 252Cf source

Preliminary data acquisition setup is successful

Further energy loss correction methods are being developed

Abstract

Neutron-induced fission cross-section studies are being pursued with a double Frisch grid fission detector. We are working towards conducting neutron-induced fission cross-section measurements of high priority 241Am(n, f) and 244,245Cm(n, f) fission reactions in the energy range of 1-2000 keV. These measurements of high priority (n, f) reactions cross-sections from the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency High Priority Request List (HPRL), are identified as reactions that require improved data in the energy range of 1-2000 keV for the safe and economic design of next-generation fast nuclear reactors. The 7Li(p, n) reaction at various proton energies from 1.9 MeV to 3.6 MeV will be used to produce neutron flux to conduct neutron-induced fission cross-section studies. In the present special issue contribution paper, we are presenting the characterization study of the double Frisch grid fission detector. The detector is characterized with a 252Cf (spontaneous fission) source. The chamber consists of two cylindrical ionization sections in a back-to-back geometry sharing a common cathode. Each section consists of a cathode, guard rings, a grid, and an anode. The grids are made as a wire plane. The separation between the cathode and grid is 5.3 cm, and the grid to the anode is 1.2 cm. The source is mounted on a common cathode, and the chamber is operated at approximately 800 Torr pressure of P-10 gas mixture. The data acquisition with the digital data acquisition module CAEN N6725 is being set up and the preliminary analysis of the chamber performance suggests that the detector operation is good and stable. Further work with regard to employing trigger from the cathode and incorporating energy loss corrections are being pursued.