Inelastic neutron scattering and prompt fission neutron spectra for 237Np

Abstract The secondary neutron spectra (inelastic, elastic, fission) for 237 Np were measured by the neutron time of flight spectrometer of the IPPE at the incident energy range 1–2.5 MeV. The solid tritium target was used as a neutron source. The neptunium oxide (189 g) packed in the low mass stainless steel container was used as a scattering sample. The neutron background due to scattering on the target environment and tritium into the target backing was measured and was calculated with the appropriate model of the neutron source. The data were corrected for neutron background, the scattering on the oxygen and iron nuclei, and the effect of the finite sample size. The fission neutron spectra were measured, evaluated and subtracted from the emission neutron spectra to estimate inelastic neutron spectra and cross-sections. The experimental results were compared with ENDF/B-VI, BROND-2, JENDL-3 neutron data libraries.