Measurement of the α-ratio and (n,γ) cross section of U-235 from 0.2 to 200 eV at n_TOF

Abstract

We measured the neutron capture-to-fission cross-section ratio (alpha-ratio) and the capture cross section of U-235 between 0.2 and 200 eV at the n_TOF facility at CERN. The simultaneous measurement of neutron-induced capture and fission rates was performed by means of the n_TOF BaF2 Total Absorption Calorimeter (TAC), used for detection of γ-rays, in combination with a set of micromegas detectors used as fission tagging detectors. The energy dependence of the capture cross section was obtained with help of the Li-6(n,t) standard reaction determining the n_TOF neutron fluence; the well-known integral of the U-235(n,f) cross section between 7.8 and 11 eV was then used for its absolute normalization. The alpha-ratio, obtained with slightly higher statistical fluctuations, was determined directly, without need for any reference cross section. To perform the analysis of this measurement we developed a new methodology to correct the experimentally observed effect that the probabilities of detecting a fission reaction in the TAC and the micromegas detectors are not independent. The results of this work have been used in a new evaluation of U-235 performed within the scope of the Collaborative International Evaluated Library Organisation (CIELO) Project, and are consistent with the ENDF/B-VIII.0 and JEFF-3.3 capture cross sections below 4 eV and above 100 eV. However, the measured capture cross section is on average 10% larger between 4 and 100 eV.