Analysis of 12C Neutron Elastic Scattering Data using CoGNAC at the LANSCE White Neutron Source*

Neutron reactions have been studied since the dawn of nuclear physics with neutron scattering typically being the most probable interaction in the MeV incident neutron energy range. Detailed knowledge of neutron scattering cross sections and emitted neutron angular distributions is critical for producing accurate nuclear data evaluations, which in turn are required for understanding neutron transport, simulation, and neutronics applications. Unfortunately, neutron scattering data are lacking for many stable isotopes, which results in large uncertainties on the output of Monte Carlos simulations and tools that rely upon such databases. Elastic scattering cross section data are especially sparse in the MeV range across a variety of nuclei, but the uncertainties for common, well-known nuclei such as ¹²C are high enough to cause concern. The Correlated Gamma Neutron Array for sCattering (CoGNAC) experimental program at Los Alamos National Laboratory aims to provide neutron scattering cross section measurements across a range of neutron energies with detailed covariances and uncertainty quantification. An introduction to CoGNAC and preliminary ¹²C elastic scattering results will be discussed and presented.

 

Funding : NSF PHY2310078 & NNSA/DOE  Office of Experimental Science (NA-113)