Neutron total cross section measurements of gold and tantalum at the nELBE photoneutron source

Neutron total cross sections of 197Au and natTa have been measured at the nELBE photoneutron source in the energy range 0.1-10MeV with a statistical uncertainty of up to 2% and a total systematic uncertainty of 1%. This facility is optimized for the fast neutron energy range and combines an excellent time structure of the neutron pulses (electron bunch width 5ps) with a short flight path of 7m. Because of the low instantaneous neutron flux transmission measurements of neutron total cross sections are possible, that exhibit very different beam and background conditions than found at other neutron sources. (orig.)