Validation of the U-238 inelastic scattering neutron cross section through the EXCALIBUR dedicated experiment

Pierre Leconte, David Bernard, A. Plompen, F.-J. Hambsch, P. Schillebeeckx, W. Mondelaers, J. Heyse, S. Kopecky, P. Siegler, S. Oberstedt
2017 EPJ Web of Conferences  
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 17 cm and one using two cylinders of 17 cm diameter 9 cm height, both made of metallic Uranium 238. A set of 15 different dosimeters with specific threshold energies have been employed to provide information on the neutron flux
more » ... n as a function of incident energy. Measurements uncertainties are typically in the range of 0.5-3% (1σ ). 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%. Various 238 U evaluations have been tested: JEFF-3.1.1, ENDF/B-VII.1 and the IB36 evaluation from IAEA. 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.
doi:10.1051/epjconf/201714606017 fatcat:es3islc3hvgrxiesuuzo4laxrm