Fission yield measurements from uranium irradiated in the VR-1 reactor

Abstract

This master thesis gives the theoretical description and practical measurement of fission yields from a sample of depleted uranium irradiated for 15 minutes in a research reactor, i.e. VR-1 reactor of the CTU in Prague. First, a theoretical background is given so that the results can be understood. This theoretical background consists on the description of the fission process itself and the applications of fission yields. Also, some basic nuclear physics will be described. Specifically, radioactive decay and its kinetics will be covered. The present work also includes an explanation about Neutron Activation Analysis, what it is and what was the neutron source used. Then, the gamma ray spectrometer is described, covering all its components: HPGe detector, high voltage power supply, amplifier, ADC and MCA. To understand the results obtained using this gamma ray spectrometer, an explanation of the spectrum formation is also included in this thesis. Then, one can find the methodology that was used, and the results obtained. The discussion covers: the reaction rate for fission obtained in every measurement, the comparison of the reaction rate for fission with the reaction rate for neutron capture obtained and a comparison of these reaction rates with other studies performed in the same laboratory in similar conditions