Experiments and Simulations of Correlated, Prompt Emissions in Cf-252

Year
2014
Author(s)
S. A. Pozzi - Department of Nuclear Engineering & Radiological Sciences
S. A. Pozzi - Department of Nuclear Engineering & Radiological Sciences
S.D. Clarke - Department of Nuclear Engineering & Radiological Sciences
S.D. Clarke - Department of Nuclear Engineering & Radiological Sciences
E. W. Larsen - Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences
E. W. Larsen - Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences
M. Flaska - Department of Nuclear Engineering & Radiological Sciences
M. Flaska - Department of Nuclear Engineering & Radiological Sciences
A. Enqvist - Department of Nuclear Engineering & Radiological Sciences
A. Enqvist - Department of Nuclear Engineering & Radiological Sciences
B. Wieger - Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences, University of Michigan
B. Wieger - Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences, University of Michigan
M. J. Marcath - Department of Nuclear Engineering & Radiological Sciences
M. J. Marcath - Department of Nuclear Engineering & Radiological Sciences
S. Ward - Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences
S. Ward - Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences
R. Vogt - Physics Division, Physics Department
J. Randrup - Nuclear Science Division
P. Talou - Nuclear Physics Group
T. Kawano - Nuclear Physics Group
T. Kawano - Nuclear Physics Group
I. Stetcu - Nuclear Physics Group
E. Padovani - Department of Energy
E. Padovani - Department of Energy
Abstract
Experiments and simulations of correlated, prompt neutron and gamma rays emissions from fission are being investigated as the search for new signatures for special nuclear material (SNM) detection and characterization continues. Existing and new scintillator detectors with pulse shape discrimination capabilities (the ability to discriminate between neutrons and gamma rays) are being deployed in these systems. We present the results of new experiments to measure these quantities, including prompt neutron-neutron and neutron-gamma ray correlations. These experiments are performed using organic liquid scintillators and sodium iodide detectors arranged in a ring configuration, with a Cf-252 source at the center. This arrangement allows for the measurement of the angular distributions of emissions, as well as some energy spectroscopy. The results from these experiments are used to improve the physics models in our Monte Carlo codes. In addition, the results are compared to results from the theory of neutron and gamma ray emission in event-by-event modeling of the fission process. These observables are of interest in the development of new systems for the detection and characterization of special nuclear materials.