The concept of measurement of thermal neutron absorption cross section in small samples

Theoretical principles of the method of measurement of the absorption cross section for thermal neutrons are presented in the one velocity approach. In consecutive measurements the sample investigated is enveloped in shells of a known moderator of varying thickness and irradiated with the pulsed beam of fast neutrons. The die-away rate of thermal neutrons escaping from such a system is measured. The absorption cross section of the unknown sample is found as the intersection of the experimental curve (die-away rate viz. thickness of the moderator) with the theoretical one calculated for the case of the zero value of the material buckling of the sample. (author)