Measurements of epithermal neutron properties of ITU Triga Mark II research reactor

Koyuncu Gürsu N., Erbay O., Reyhancan İ. A.

Applied Radiation and Isotopes, vol.190, 2022 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 190
  • Publication Date: 2022
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2022.110479
  • Journal Name: Applied Radiation and Isotopes
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, Aquatic Science & Fisheries Abstracts (ASFA), Chemical Abstracts Core, Chimica, Compendex, EMBASE, Food Science & Technology Abstracts, INSPEC, MEDLINE, Pollution Abstracts
  • Keywords: Alpha shape factor, Flux ratio, Neutron activation analysis
  • Istanbul Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

k0 standardization method is one of the most commonly used neutron activation analyses to determine the concentrations of elements in the sample. To perform this method, it is required to know the neutron spectrum parameters such as epithermal neutron flux shape factor (α) and thermal to epithermal neutron flux ratio (f). In this study, the α and f parameters were determined using the Cd-ratio dual monitor method and bare triple monitor method. In both methods, irradiation studies were performed in the central thimble at the ITU Triga Mark II research reactor. A gamma-ray counting system (HpGe detector) was used for measuring foil activation values. The selected monitors were 197Au and 94Zr for the Cd-ratio dual monitor method and 197Au/94Zr/96Zr for the bare triple monitor method. The α and f parameters were −0.221 ± 0.018 and 41.826 ± 4.701 for 197Au/94Zr (724 keV) monitors, −0.231 ± 0.019 and 42.626 ± 4.791 for 197Au/94Zr (756 keV) monitors, 0.228 ± 0.025 and 43.917 ± 3.596 for 197Au/94Zr/96Zr monitors, respectively.