Validation of the $^{238}$U inelastic scattering cross section through the excalibur dedicated experiment
Abstract
EXCALIBUR is an integral transmission experiment based on the fast neutron source produced by the bare highly enriched fast burst reactor CALIBAN, located in CEA/DAM Valduc (France). Two experimental campaigns have been performed, one using a sphere of diameter 17cm and one using two cylinders of 17cm diameter 9cm height, both made of pure $^{238}$. A set of 15 different dosimeters with specific threshold energies have been employed to provide information on the neutron flux attenuation as a function of incident energy. Measurements uncertainties are typically in the range of 0.5-3 % (1$\sigma$). The analysis of these experiments is performed with the TRIPOLI4 continuous energy Monte Carlo code. A calculation benchmark with validated simplifications is defined in order to improve the statistical convergence under 2 per cent. Various $^{238}$U evaluations have been tested: JEFF-3.1.1, ENDF/B-VII.1 and the IB36 evaluation from AIEA. A sensitivity analysis is presented to identify the contribution of each reaction cross section to the integral transmission rate. This feedback may be of interest for the international effort on $^{238}$U, through the CIELO project.
Origin : Files produced by the author(s)
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