Determination of heterogeneous media parameters using the single element method

The neutron pulse propagation technique was applied to study a heterogeneous system consisting of a single fuel element placed at the symmetry axis of a large cylindrical D2 O tank. The system response for the propagation technique is related to the inverse complex relaxation length of the neutron waves also known as the system dispersion law. Experimental values of ρ(ω) were compared with ones derived from Fermi's Diffusion-Age Theory. The main purpose of the experiment was to obtain the Feinberg-Galanin thermal constant, which is the logarithmic derivative of the neutron flux at the fuel-moderator interface and such a main input data for Heterogeneous Reactor Theory calculations. (author). 10 refs., 5 figs., 1 tab