Task Introduction

Please allow 30 minutes for this task.

Expected outputs from this task are also in the presentation.

In this task you will be using OpenMC to plot interaction cross sections for isotopes, elements and materials. You will also see how Doppler broadening affects neutron interaction cross sections.

Learning Outcomes

• OpenMC can be used to plot interaction cross sections for specific isotopes, elements and materials.

• Reaction probabilities vary depending on the energy of the neutron.

• Beryllium 9 has the lowest threshold energy for neutron multiplication reactions.

• Lithium 6 has the highest probability of producing tritium at low neutron energies.

• Lithium-6 enrichment increases tritium production from low energy neutrons.

• The relative motion of colliding nuclei causes Doppler broadening of resonance peaks in interaction cross sections.