The Measurement of Temperature Dependent Thermal Neutrons in Water Using a Crystal Detector.

Abstract

The research was concerned with the temperature dependence of thermal neutron flux. In view of the excellent neutron detection capability exhibited by the Lithium Iodide Europium enriched crystal this phosphor was utilized for the investigation. A miniature crystal (4mm x 4mm) and a flexible light pipe combination was used to determine the neutron spatial distribution as a function of temperature using a Pu-Be source in a light-water medium. A separate experimental investigation, with Indium foils and activation analysis, was used to determine the temperature dependence of thermal neutron flux under the same experimental conditions as the crystal. A theoretical analysis was also conducted using Two-Group theory to obtain an expression for thermal flux with spatial and temperature dependent parameters. The results of the research indicate that the thermal neutron flux is temperature dependent in the region investigated (77 degrees - 168 degrees F). The experimental results verify the increasing trend of flux magnitude with increasing temperature, as predicted by the Two-Group solution. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1970
Accession Number
AD0720695

Entities

People

  • Robert Gordon Bennett

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Crystal Detectors
  • Detection
  • Detectors
  • Europium
  • Fiber Optics
  • Measurement
  • Neutron Flux
  • Neutrons
  • Phosphors
  • Spatial Distribution
  • Thermal Neutrons

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Combustion and Flow Dynamics.
  • Materials Science and Engineering.
  • Nuclear and Radiation Engineering.