International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The cross sections for /sup 250/Fm, /sup 244-246/Cf, /sup 242-244/Cm, and /sup 242/Am/sup g/ produced by the /sup 12/C+ /sup 242/Pu and the /sup 16/O+ /sup 238/U reactions leading to the same compound nucleus of /sup 254/Fm have been measured by using radiochemical methods. The excitation functions show that the difference between the /sup 12/C+ /sup 242/Pu and the /sup 16/O+ /sup 238/U reactions can be attributed mainly to the Coulomb barriers. Our results were compared with others reported previously for /sup 22/Ne+ /sup 232/Th, /sup 12/C+ /sup 238/U, /sup 12/C+ /sup 240,241/Pu, /sup 13/C+ /sup 241/Pu, /sup 16/O+ /sup 233/U, and /sup 16/O+ /sup 242/Pu reaction systems, and support a mechanism involving transfer of #alpha#-particle clusters (C,Be,He) from projectile to target for the production of Cf and Cm isotopes.

Science.gov (United States)

The current methods used by the tissue analysis program at LASL for the determination of americium and plutonium in autopsy tissue are described. Problems affecting radiochemical yield are discussed. Included are problems associated with sample preparation, separation of plutonium from large amounts of bone ash, and reagent contamination. The average /sup 242/Pu tracer yield for 1800 Pu determinations is 78 +- 12%. The average /sup 242/Am tracer yield is 85 +- 7% for 40 determinations.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Independent isomeric yield ratios of /sup 128/Sb were determined radiochemically in the thermal neutron induced fission of /sup 241/Pu and 34 MeV alpha particle induced fission of /sup 238/U, both involving the same compound nucleus (/sup 242/Pu). Fragment angular momenta estimated from the measured isomer ratios using the statistical model analysis showed significantly larger fragment angular momenta in the medium energy fissioning system compared to the low energy fissioning system. This has been attributed to the effect of higher excitation energy and angular momentum in the entrance channel leading to increased fragment temperature, moments of inertia and angular velocity. An attempt was made to calculate the fragment angular momentum in the medium energy fission using the Fermi gas model for the fissioning nucleus, taking into account the multichance fission, saddle shapes of the fissioning nuclei and the angular velocity components of the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The delayed neutrons from neutron-induced fission in /sup 232/U, /sup 237/Np, /sup 238/Pu, /sup 241/Am, /sup 242/Am/sup m/, /sup 245/Cm, and /sup 249/Cf were studied for the first time; those from /sup 232/Th, /sup 233/U, /sup 235/U, /sup 238/U, /sup 239/Pu, /sup 241/Pu, and /sup 242/Pu were measured again. The data were used to develop an expression for the prediction of the absolute delayed neutron yield, and the prediction of delayed neutron emission with time. This approach accurately predicts observed delayed neutron yields and decay characteristics. A fission product yield model was used in conjunction with delayed neutron emission probability to analytically predict delayed neutron characteristics. The results of this analysis are in excellent agreement with experimental values.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In the framework of nuclear waste transmutation studies, the Mini-INCA project has been initiated at CEA/DSM with objectives to determine optimal conditions for transmutation and incineration of minor actinides (MA) in high intensity neutron fluxes. Our experimental tools based on alpha- and gamma-spectroscopy of the samples and the development of micro fission chambers could gather either microscopic information on nuclear reactions (total or partial cross sections for neutron capture and/or fission reactions) or macroscopic information on transmutation and incineration potentials. Neutron capture cross sections of selected actinides ("2"4"1Am, "2"4"2Am, "2"4"2Pu, "2"3"7Np) have already been measured at ILL, showing some discrepancies when compared to evaluated data libraries but in overall good agreement with recent data. The studies and possibilities offer by the MEGAPIE project to assess neutronic performances of a 1 MW spallation target and the incineration of MA in a ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A new method for the determination of {sup 237}Np and Pu isotopes in large soil samples has been developed that provides enhanced uranium removal to facilitate assay by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). This method allows rapid preconcentration and separation of plutonium and neptunium in large soil samples for the measurement of {sup 237}Np and Pu isotopes by ICP-MS. {sup 238}U can interfere with {sup 239}Pu measurement by ICP-MS as {sup 238}UH{sup +} mass overlap and {sup 237}Np via {sup 238}U peak tailing. The method provides enhanced removal of uranium by separating Pu and Np initially on TEVA Resin, then transferring Pu to DGA resin for additional purification. The decontamination factor for removal of uranium from plutonium for this method is greater than 1 x 10{sup 6}. Alpha spectrometry can also be applied so that the shorter-lived {sup 238}Pu isotope can be measured successfully. {sup 239}Pu, {sup 242}Pu and {sup ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Description of program or function: Format: ENDFB-6 format; Nuclides: Th-232, U-233, U-234, U-235, U-236, U-238, Np-237, Np-238, Pu-238, Pu-239, Pu-240, Pu-241, Pu-242, Am-241, Am-242, Am-243, Cm-243, Cm-244, Cm-245, and from the spontaneous fission of Cm-242, Cm-244, and Cf-252. Origin: New evaluation (Crouch 1, 2, 3, 4; UKFY1; JEF-1). A new evaluation of fission product yields from the thermal, fast, and 14 MeV neutron-induced fission of the following nuclides has been prepared in ENDFB-VI format: "2"3"2Th, "2"3"3U, "2"3"4U, "2"3"5U, "2"3"6U, "2"3"8U, "2"3"7Np, "2"3"8Np, "2"3"8Pu, "2"3"9Pu, "2"4"0Pu, "2"4"1Pu, "2"4"2Pu, "2"4"1Am, "2"4"2"mAm, "2"4"3Am, "2"4"3Cm, "2"4"4Cm, "2"4"5Cm; and from the spontaneous fission of "2"4"2Cm, "2"4"4Cm, and "2"5"2Cf

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A new method that allows rapid preconcentration and separation of plutonium and neptunium in water samples was developed for the measurement of "2"3"7Np and Pu isotopes by inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and alpha spectrometry. "2"3"8U can interfere with "2"3"9Pu measurement by ICP-MS as "2"3"8UH"+ mass overlap and "2"3"7Np via peak tailing. The method provide enhanced removal of uranium by separating Pu and Np initially on TEVA Resin, then moving Pu to DGA resin for additional removal of uranium. The decontamination factor for uranium from Pu is almost 100,000 and the decontamination factor for U from Np is greater than 10,000. This method uses stacked extraction chromatography cartridges and vacuum box technology to facilitate rapid separations. Preconcentration is performed using a streamlined calcium phosphate precipitation method. Purified solutions are split between ICP-MS and alpha spectrometry so that long and short-lived Pu isotopes can be measured ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

We report preliminary cross section covariances developed for the WPEC Subgroup 26 for 45 out of 52 requested materials. The covariances were produced in 15- and 187-group representations as follows: (1) 36 isotopes ({sup 16}O, {sup 19}F, {sup 23}Na, {sup 27}Al, {sup 28}Si, {sup 52}Cr, {sup 56,56}Fe, {sup 58}Ni, {sup 90,91,92,94}Zr, {sup 166,167,168,170}Er, {sup 206,207,208}Pb, {sup 209}Bi, {sup 233,234,236}U, {sup 237}Np, {sup 238,240,241,242}Pu, {sup 241,242m,243}Am, {sup 242,243,244,245}Cm) were evaluated using the BNL-LANL methodology. For the thermal region and the resolved and unresolved resonance regions, the methodology has been based on the Atlas-Kalman approach, in the fast neutron region the Empire-Kalman method has been used; (2) 6 isotopes ({sup 155,156,157,158,160}Gd and {sup 232}Th) were taken from ENDF/B-VII.0; and (3) 3 isotopes ({sup 1}H, {sup 238}U and {sup 239}Pu) were taken from JENDL-3.3. For 6 light nuclei ({sup 4}He, ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The distribution of radiation dose commitments within the body that can result from the lung deposition of a number of transuranic radionuclides ("2"3"7Pu, "2"3"8Pu, "2"3"9Pu, "2"4"0Pu, "2"4"1Pu, "2"4"2Pu, "2"4"3Pu, "2"4"4Pu, "2"4"1Am, "2"4"2Am, "2"4"3Am, "2"4"4Am, "2"4"2Cm, "2"4"3Cm, "2"4"4Cm, and "2"4"6Cm) was calculated. The variables that influence these organ dose commitments include the mobility of the particle or its dissolution products within the body, the radiation characteristics of the inhaled radionuclides and their progeny, and the size of the particles inhaled. In the calculation of organ dose commitments for whole-body, lungs, liver, bone tissues, kidneys, and gastrointestinal tract from the inhalation of transuranium radionuclides, physical characteristics of importance are the dimensions of the particle, its aerodynamic properties, and its density. For particles within the respirable size range, a useful description is provided by the activity median aerodynamic ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1 - Description of program or function: MCB-JEF2.2 is a continuous-energy cross section libraries in ACE Format suitable for the MCB-1C and MCNP codes. Libraries for various materials were generated at six different Temperatures, and cover the energy range up to 20 MeV. Format: ACE. Number of groups: Continuous energy. Nuclides: H-1, H-2, H-3, He-3, He-4, Li-6, Li-7, Be-9, B-10, B-11, C-nat., N-14, N-15, O-16, O-17, Na-23, F-19, Mg-nat., Al-27, Si-nat., P-31, S-32, S-33, S-34, S-36, Cl-nat, K-nat, Ca-nat., Ti-nat, V-nat, Cr-50, Cr-52, Cr-53, Cr-54, Mn-55, Fe-54, Fe-56, Fe-57, Fe-58, Co-59, Ni-58, Ni-59, Ni-60, Ni-61, Ni-62, Ni-64, Cu-nat, Ga-nat, Ge-72, Ge-73, Ge-74, Ge-76, As-75, Se-74, Se-76, Se-77, Se-78, Se-80, Se-82, Br-79, Br-81, Kr-78, Kr-80, Kr-82, Kr-83, Kr-84, Kr-85, Kr-86, Rb-85, Rb-86, Rb-87, Sr-84, Sr-86, Sr-87, Sr-88, Sr-89, Sr-90, Y-89, Y-90, Y-91, Zr-nat, Zr-90, Zr-91, Zr-92, Zr-93, Zr-94, Zr-95, Zr-96, Nb-93, Nb-94, Nb-95, Mo-nat, Mo-92, Mo-94, Mo-95, Mo-96, Mo-97, ...