Minutes of the 25th meeting of the International Nuclear Data Committee, IAEA, Vienna, Austria, 4-7 May 2004

The aim of the meeting was to review the activities of the Nuclear Data Section (NDS) covering the period 2002-2003, to evaluate the NDS program of work for the two-year period of 2004-2005, and to advise on future activities (2006-2007). The presentations and deliberations in plenary and working group sessions led to many conclusions and recommendations which are given in the full report of the meeting. Conclusions of particular significance have been: Specific nuclear data compilation activities undertaken by NDS are unique. INDC members appreciated that more attention is now being devoted to the compilation of charged-particle data for EXFOR. The Committee recommends to consider further improved methods or data storage and compilation for EXFOR. Furthermore, as a result of recent geopolitical changes, especially in Europe, the relevant IAEA and NEA responsibilities need to be slightly readjusted. The Committee took note that the data dissemination and international co-ordination of data exchange represent the most important components of NDS activities, and that improvement of services has always been the top priority. The co-ordination role of NDS for NRDC and NSDD is highly appreciated, and should be further strengthened. The Committee noted with satisfaction that the data dissemination services of NDS are utilized by scientists working in all parts of the world. These requests pertain to data for all branches of nuclear applications. INDC members appreciated that continued efforts are underway in the NDS to update the general purpose libraries. The Committee finds it important that the NDS continues to maintain and update the photonuclear, RIPL, cross-section standards and FENDL-2 libraries (considering that the latter is the Reference Library for the ITER project). The Committee members briefly described on-going nuclear data projects in their countries/regions, and also spelt out nuclear data requirements in various fields. While most of these needs are already being considered by the NDS, it is recommended that the NDS expands the range of interests, according to available resources and expertise. The Committee lauds the competence and flexibility of NDS with regard to nuclear data services. A major effort of the NDS is devoted to the supply of high-quality data for energy production. However, NDS staff are now paying enhanced attention also to data for other applications, such as diagnostic and therapeutic nuclear medicine, neutron activation analysis, ion beam analysis, etc., thus a good balance has been achieved between energy and non-energy related activities. The INDC emphasizes the central role of the NDS in the co-ordination of international nuclear data center networks and in providing excellent services to all Member States. The Committee finds the nuclear data activities to be well balanced between services and data development work