The n_TOF facility houses CERN’s pulsed neutron source, comprising two beam lines of different flight paths (at ≈185 and ≈19 m) and one activation station. It is driven by the 20 GeV proton beam delivered by the Proto-Synchrotron accelerator impinging on a lead spallation target.
The energy resolution and the high instantaneous neutron flux are key factors to increase the...
Neutron-induced reactions on radioactive nuclei are important for a variety of applications. However, these reactions are often difficult to measure directly due to the unstable nature of the reactants. A variety of indirect methods have been developed in which experimental measurements are used to constrain the statistical calculations of these reactions. I will discuss the epistemological...
Accurate modeling of neutron-induced inelastic scattering is essential for enhancing the predictive capabilities of nuclear reaction codes, particularly for short-lived nuclei where experimental data are limited. Inelastic scattering can proceed through multiple mechanisms, including compound nucleus formation and decay, as well as direct and pre-equilibrium emissions. We have developed a...
Abstract: Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) remains a widely applied technique at research reactors worldwide, offering multielement, non-destructive analysis with high accuracy. Traditional NAA protocols, typically based on measurements performed several days to weeks post-irradiation, enable the determination of 30–40 elements but often suffer from long turnaround times. This delay has...
With very few exceptions, direct measurements of neutron capture rates on radionuclides have not been possible. A number of indirect methods have been pursued, however, substantial effort has been devoted to quantify the usually large systematic errors that accompany the results from these techniques. A new instrument has been developed at the Los Alamos Neutron Science CEnter (LANSCE) to...
Accurate neutron capture rates for unstable nuclei are essential for nuclear data evaluations and for improving reaction network calculations. A promising approach combines radioactive ion beams with the Oslo method, which extracts nuclear level densities and γ-ray strength functions to indirectly constrain capture rates. The β-Oslo technique extends this capability to beam intensities down to...
Neutron-induced reactions on short-lived nuclei are of critical importance in both fundamental and applied nuclear science, with implications for nucleosynthesis processes, next-generation reactor systems, and the transmutation of long-lived radioactive waste. Given the experimental challenges associated with studying unstable isotopes, theoretical modeling becomes indispensable. The...
The updates to the RIPL Gamma and Density sections from past and ongoing IAEA CRPs will be presented.
Neutron activation analysis of short-lived radionuclides offers numerous advantages including high sensitivity, rapid turnaround, and minimal sample handling, making it an invaluable tool for various applications. To leverage these strengths, our team at ETRR-2 has developed Flowing Sample Neutron Activation Analysis (FS-NAA), a continuous-flow system that circulates liquid samples between a...
Presenting integral measurements directly related to capture reactions.
Storage of freshly produced secondary particles in a storage ring is a straightforward way to achieve the most efficient use of the rare species as it allows for using the same secondary ion multiple times. Employing storage rings for nuclear reaction studies is a rapidly developing field of research. Experiments at various centre-of-mass energies spanning from a few AMeV of astrophysical...
Measuring neutron-induced reactions on radioactive isotopes is a significant challenge, as both the projectile (neutron)
and the target nuclei are often unstable. Surrogate reactions offer a promising alternative for evaluating these nuclear
reaction rates. At the RIBF facility in RIKEN, radioactive isotope beams can be slowed down and focused using a novel device called OEDO.
We employ...
The rapid neutron capture process (r-process), which occurs in astrophysical environments with extremely high temperatures and neutron densities, is believed to be responsible for producing roughly half of the elements heavier than iron. During the freeze-out phase of the r-process when temperatures decline and the equilibrium between neutron capture and photodisintegration breaks, individual...
Reliable nuclear data with quantified uncertainties are essential for basic and applied science. When measurements are not possible, evaluators rely on systematics, theory predictions, and indirect observables. This is particularly relevant for applications involving reactions with short-lived nuclei, such as simulations undertaken to understand stellar evolution and the synthesis of the...
Nuclear applications such nonproliferation, post-detonation forensics, spent-fuel assay, reactor burnup and design, as well as astrophysics, rely on the accurate description of the neutron interaction with unstable fission products. However, current cross-section descriptions of these nuclei are either non-existent or based on simplified assumptions, leading to unquantified impacts on...
