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M. Ragheb 3/30/2006
INTRODUCTION
We wish to analyze the process by which neutrons scatter upon collision with the nuclei of different materials. The intended use is in shielding, dosimetry, and criticality calculations. The energy loss per collision would characterize the properties of different energy moderating materials such as graphite, light water, and heavy water. The kinematics of two-body collisions processes are best described using the Center of Mass system (CM), rather than the Laboratory (LAB) system of coordinates. The reason is that scattering is isotropic in the CM frame, and it is easier described in it. We then introduce the concept of a microscopic and macroscopic neutron cross section and describe the use of compiled cross sections data to estimate collision rate densities and reaction rates.
By taking VL = 0, we get:
vCM =
1 vL 1+ A
(1)
The neutron velocity in the center of mass system using Eqn. 1 is:
1 vL . 1+ A
vC =
A vL 1+ A
(2)
VC = VL - vCM =
1 vL 1+ A
(3)
where again we took VL = 0. The total momentum in CM frame is by using Eqns. 2 and 3:
1 vC + A VC = 1
A A vL vL = 0 1+ A 1+ A
EL =
1 1 1 2 2 1 vL + AVL2 = vL 2 2 2
(4)
where VL was taken as zero. The total kinetic energy in the CM system is:
EC =
Using Eqns.2 and 3 we get:
1 1 2 1 vC + AVC2 2 2
EC =
1 A2 1 A 2 1 v2 + vL 2 L 2 (A + 1 ) 2 (A + 1 )2 1 A(A + 1 ) 2 = vL 2 (A + 1 )2
Thus:
EC =
where:
1 A 2 1 2 vL = vL 2 A +1 2
(5)
A.1 A +1
is the reduced mass. The relationship between the LAB and CM velocities from Eqns 4 and 5 is:
EC = EL =
A EL A +1
(6)
Thus EC < EL, since the center of mass motion itself takes the energy difference. Applying conservation of momentum in the CM system before and after a collision yields:
Before collision 1 v C + AV C = After collision AV C + 1 v C
' '
(7) (8)
(9)
(10)
vC =
A VL 1+ A
(11)
which yields:
VC = V'C
(12)
(13)
From Fig.3, we can write for the horizontal and vertical components: Horizontal: Vertical:
v'L cos L = vCM + v'C cos C v'L sin L = v'C sin C
(14) (15)
Dividing the Left Hand Side (LHS) of both equations, we get: tan L =
v'C sin c sin C = vCM + v'C cos C 1 + cos C A
(16)
vCM =
1 vL 1+ A
v 'C = vC =
Now:
A A vL vL v ' C = vC = 1+ A 1+ A
L ( L )sin L d L = CM ( C )sin C d C
where:
L ( L ) is the differential scattering cross section in the LAB system, CM (C ) is the differential scattering cross section in the CM system.
Thus:
L ( L ) = CM (C )
From Eqns.15 and 13:
sinC dC sin L d L
(17)
(18)
L ( L ) = CM (C )
1 + A v ' L d C A vL d L
(17)'
sec2 L =
1 = cos2 L
[(
Thus: 1 + cos C ) 2 dC A = d L cos2 .( 1 cos + 1) L C A ( To get an expression for cos 2 L in terms of C , we use Eqn.14: cos2 L = ( =( by use of Eqns. 1, 11 and 13. Thus: cos2 L = 1 v2L (1 + A cos C ) 2 2 2 (1 + A) v ' L (20) vCM v 'C cos C ) 2 + v 'L v 'L 1 vL A vL cos C ) 2 + 1 + A v 'L 1 + A v 'L
(19)
(21)
L ( L ) = CM ( C )
(17)''
Substituting for v
CM
from Eqn.1, using v 'C = vC , and substituting for vL from Eqn.11, we get: v '2 1 + A2 + 2 A cos C L = 2 vL (1 + A) 2
(22)
L ( L ) = CM ( C )
Finally: 1 2 + .cos C + 1)3/ 2 A2 A L ( L ) = CM (C ) 1 ( cos C + 1) A ( which relates the scattering cross sections in the LAB and CM systems.
(23)
(24)
(25)
And:
E' =[
(1 + ) + (1 ) cos C ] E 2
(26)
E' = E .
2. The maximum energy loss occurs in a back scattering collision: C = 180o . Then:
E ' = E .
The maximum energy loss would be: Emax = E E ' = E E = (1 )E 3. Not only a neutron cannot gain energy in an elastics collision with a stationary nucleus (E'<E), but is cannot emerge with an energy E' less than the value of E .
thus:
(1 + A2 + 2 A cos C )1/ 2 A 1 cos L = cos C + (1 + A) 1+ A A +1
So that:
cos L =
(27)
For high mass number elements such as Uranium, A>>1, the second term in the numerator, and the second and third terms in the denominator are small, then: cos L = A cos C cos C ( A2 )1/ 2
0 = cos L =
where:
cos d
L 0 4
d
0
d = 2 sin C dC , is an element of solid angle. Even though diffusion is isotropic in the CM frame, it is not so, in general, in the LAB frame. The departure from isotropic scattering is measured in terms of cos L = 0 , where:
1 0 = cos L = cos L 2 sin C dC 4 0 = 1 cos L sin C dC 2 0
C = cosC = 1 y = 1
Thus: 1 Ay + 1 0 = 2 dy 2 1 ( A + 2 Ay + 1)1/ 2
+1 +1 Ay 1 1 dy + 2 dy = 2 2 1 ( A + 2 Ay + 1)1/ 2 ( A + 2 Ay + 1)1/ 2 1 +1
Thus:
dx 2 a + bx = , b a + bx
2 ( A2 + 1) + 2 Ay 1 A( 2)[2( A2 + 1) 2 Ay ] Ay 2 ( A + 1) + 2 Ay + 0 = 2 12 A2 2A where :
+1
A + 1, b 2A
2
0 =
= =
This relationship applies for elements other than hydrogen, that is for A not equal to unity.
THE SCATTERING PROBABILITY DISTRIBUTION FOR ELASTIC SCATTERING FROM STATIONARY NUCLEI
Since scattering is isotropic in CM system, the probability: P( E ')dE ' = Number of favorable events scattering between C and C + d C , Total number of events
and the collided neutron energy will be between E and E . This is shown in Fig.5. The neutron has an equal probability of falling between the energies E'=E and E'= E .
E' =
= E'
E
1 dE ' (1 ) E
E
E '2 1 = . (1 ) E 2 E = 1 E 2 2E2 2 (1 ) E
Thus:
E ' = (1 + )
E 2
(30)
= ln
E = ln E ln E ' E'
(31)
= ln
E
E dE ' E ' (1 ) E
E' E
d =
dE ' E
1 1 Ed = ln E 1 1 =+ = From which: 1 ln d 1 1
1 1 [ ln ]1 = [ ln + 1] 1 1
=
But the collision parameter is:
1 [1 + ln ] = 1 + ln 1 1
(32)
= A +1
Thus:
A 1
= 1+
( A 1)2 ( A 1) ln 2A ( A + 1)
(33)
A2 2 A + 1 2 = 1 A2 A by considering that the value of 1 in the numerator is small relative to the other terms. For A>10 an expression correct to about 1% fitting experimental data is:
(34)
2 2 A+ 3
(35)
In the case of mixture of elements in a moderator, the individual values of are weighed by the scattering cross sections of each component to obtain its average value over the mixture:
i =1 n i =1
si i
(36)
si
N=
(37)
Moderating ratio =
(39)
This is a measure of the efficiency of moderation without absorption. Table 1 compares the values of the slowing down power and the moderating ratios for several materials. Deuterium used in heavy water distinguishes itself as a superior moderator. Nevertheless, carbon as graphite, light water and beryllium are also used as neutron moderators.
Table 1: Properties of major moderator materials. Mass Number A Average Logarithmic Energy decrement 1 0.725 0.425 0.268 0.209 0.176 0.158 0.120 Average Number of Collisions N 18 25 43 67 80 103 115 150 Macroscopic Absorption Cross section a 0.0792 0.0009 0.0 71.0 0.008 780.0 0.005 0.0 Slowing Down Power s Moderating Ratio s /a
Element
H D He Li Be B C O
1 2 4 7 9 11 12 16
u = ln
E0 E
(40)
where E0 is arbitrary reference energy corresponding to zero lethargy (e.g. 10 MeV). The lethargy of a neutron increases as it is slowed down. The lethargy variable allows the expression of the neutron energy E as a dimensionless variable. The lethargy change can be written as:
u = u2 u1 = ln
From Eqn. 40:
E1 E2
(41)
E = E0e u
(42)
It is evident that can be regarded as the average change in the lethargy of a neutron per collision. Regardless of its energy, a neutron suffers the same number of collisions for the same specified change in lethargy. Figure 6 shows that a neutron loses considerably more energy in earlier scatterings than in later ones.
REFERENCE
1. M. Ragheb, Lecture Notes on Fission Reactors Design Theory, FSL-33, Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering, 1982.
EXERCISE
1. Carry out the detailed derivation proving that, for elements other than hydrogen, the mean value of the cosine of the scattering angle for neutron collisions is given by:
0 = cos L =
cos d
L
0 4
d
0
2 . 3A