Setup for the measurement of the ²³⁵U(n,f) cross section relative to n-p scattering up to 1 GeV

Abstract

The neutron induced fission of ²³⁵U is extensively used as a reference for neutron fluence measurements in various applications, ranging from the investigation of the biological effectiveness of high energy neutrons, to the measurement of high energy neutron cross sections of relevance for accelerator driven nuclear systems. Despite its widespread use, no data exist on neutron induced fission of ²³⁵U above 200 MeV. The neutron facility n_TOF offers the possibility to improve the situation. The measurement of ²³⁵U(n,f) relative to the differential n-p scattering cross-section, was carried out in September 2018 with the aim of providing accurate and precise cross section data in the energy range from 10 MeV up to 1 GeV. In such measurements, Recoil Proton Telescopes (RPTs) are used to measure the neutron flux while the fission events are detected and counted with dedicated detectors. In this paper the measurement campaign and the experimental set-up are illustrated.