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What Is the Real PFNS of 235U at Thermal Point?

N. V. Kornilov

Nuclear Science and Engineering / Volume 186 / Number 2 / May 2017 / Pages 190-198

Technical Paper / dx.doi.org/10.1080/00295639.2016.1273625

First Online Publication:May 11, 2017

The traditional assumption of prompt fission neutron spectra (PFNS) integrated over emission angle applies for any calculation of the neutron interaction inside fissile material. Only these evaluated data are included in any neutron data library. But this is not correct. Prompt fission neutrons have very strong angular energy distribution relative to fission fragment (FF) direction. The FFs have anisotropy relative to direction of incident neutrons. What is the influence of this assumption or simplification? Results of Monte Carlo simulation are submitted in this paper. The incorporation of “real” angular energy distribution changes the yield of 238U fission, and this difference may be compensated by changing the average energy of PFNS in the traditional approach. This effect is connected with correlations between different characteristics of interacted neutrons inside the environment. An additional type of correlation between multiplicity and energy of fission neutrons, named ν-E correlation, is also discussed.