Neutron-induced fission cross section of 242Pu from 15 MeV to 20 MeV

Accurate nuclear-data needs in the fast-neutron-energy region have been recently addressed for the development of next generation nuclear power plants (GEN-IV) by the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA). This sensitivity study has shown that of particular interest is the 242 Pu(n,f) cross section for fast reactor systems. Measurements have been performed with quasi-monoenergetic neutrons in the energy range from 15 MeV to 20 MeV produced by the Van de Graaff accelerator of the JRC-Geel. A twin Frisch-grid ionization chamber has been used in a back-to-back configuration as fission fragment detector. The 242 Pu(n,f) cross section has been normalized to 238 U(n,f) cross section data. The results were compared with existing literature data and show acceptable agreement within 5%.