An Optimization Approach to Improve Thermal Scattering Law Using Experimental Total Cross Section Data
Résumé
The objective of this research is to present an optimization approach to improve thermal scattering cross section data for moderator materials. This study leverages on chi-square minimization technique, aiming to minimize the inconsistencies found in different evaluations of thermal scattering cross sections. The efficiency of this methodology has been demonstrated on improving the thermal scattering law for light water, a key moderator in thermal nuclear systems. Comparative analyses of the TSL for light water with a comprehensive experimental total cross section data set reveal that the existing evaluations have discrepancies up to 5 % with JEFF-3.3 and 2 % with ENDF/B-VIII.0 in the energy regions significant for thermal nuclear s ystems. Utilizing a chi-square minimization technique, the present work achieves a significant reduction in these discrepancies, closely aligning with the experimental total cross section data. This provides a solid foundation for future work and has immediate applications in improving thermal scattering laws for light water. The robust methodology established in this paper can be extended to improving thermal scattering law for other moderator materials.
