International Conference on Nuclear Data for Science and Technology 2007
DOI: 10.1051/ndata:07357

Determination of minor-actinides fission cross sections by means of the surrogate reaction method

B. Jurado¹, G. Kessedjian¹, M. Aiche¹, G. Barreau¹, A. Bidaud¹, S. Czajkowski¹, D. Dassié¹, B. Haas¹, L. Mathieu¹, B. Osmanov¹, L. Audouin², N. Capellán², L. Tassan-Got², J.N. Wilson², E. Berthoumieux³, F. Gunsing³, Ch. Theisen³, O. Serot⁴, E. Bauge⁵, I. Ahmad⁶, J.P. Greene⁶ and R.V.F. Janssens<sup>6

1</sup>  CENBG, Univ. Bordeaux I, CNRS/IN2P3, Le Haut Vigneau, BP. 120, 33175 Gradignan, France
²  IPN, Univ. Paris-Sud, CNRS/IN2P3, 91405 Orsay, France
³  CEA Saclay, DSM/DAPNIA/SPhN, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France
⁴  CEA Cadarache, DEN/DER/SPRC/LEPh, Bât. 230, 13108 Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, France
⁵  CEA, SPN, BP. 12, 91680 Bruyères-le-Châtel, France
⁶  Physics Division, Argonne National Laboratory, 9700 S. Cass Avenue, IL 60439, USA

jurado@cenbg.in2p3.fr

Published online: 21 May 2008

Abstract
The surrogate reaction method has been used to determine neutron-induced fission cross sections for the short-lived minor actinides ^{242, 243}Cm and ²⁴¹Am. These cross sections are highly relevant for the design of fast reactors capable of incinerating minor actinides. Our results for the fission cross section of ²⁴²Cm extend up to the onset of second-chance fission. None of the existing neutron-induced fission data for ²⁴²Cm go as high in neutron energy. The latest direct neutron-induced measurement for the ²⁴³Cm fission cross section is questioned by our results since there exist differences of more than 60% in the 0.7 to 7 MeV neutron energy range.

© CEA 2008