Interval Distributions in Neutron Counting Statistics

Formulas for interval distributions of neutron counts, which open possibilities for new methods of reactor noise measurements, are derived. The proposed experimental techniques promise to be less time consuming than the zero probability method of Mogilner and Zolotukhin. The useful information contained in a sequence of counts lies in its deviation from Poisson statistics. The magnitude of this deviation depends either on the counter efficiency or on the intensity of the external neutron source. From this point of view, the techniques of noise measurements can be divided into two groups: the “efficiency sensitive” methods (Feynman) and the “power sensitive” methods (Rossi-α). The proposed count-to-count interval distribution measurement seems to combine the advantages of both groups.