Measurements of the effective thermal neutron absorption cross-section in multi-grain model

Abstract

The effective macroscopic absorption cross-section Σaeff of thermal neutrons in a grained medium differs from the corresponding cross-section Σahom in the homogeneous medium consisting of the same components, contributing in the same amounts. The ratio of these cross-sections defines the grain parameter, G, which is a measure of heterogeneity of the system for neutron absorption. Heterogeneous models have been built as two- or three-component systems (Ag, Cu and Co3O4 grains distributed in a regular grid in Plexiglas, in various proportions between them). The effective absorption cross-section has been measured and the experimental grain parameter has been found for each model. The obtained values are in the interval 0.34 < G < 0.58, while G = 1 means the homogeneous material.