Improved models and results for evaluating neutron kerma factors

The problem addressed in this thesis research is the accurate evaluation of neutron fluence-to-kerma (Kinetic Energy Released in Materials) factors from microscopic nuclear data. The algorithms developed for this purpose combine in a consistent manner the two basic methods for computing kerma factors, namely kinematics and direct energy balance. These algorithms are implemented in the code KAOS-V which was used as the main evaluation tool to construct the response function library KAOS/LIB-V. The library contains kerma factors and other nuclear response functions for 43 nonfissionable and 15 fissionable isotopes and elements. The chief source of data is the evaluated nuclear data files ENDF/B-V. Auxiliary nuclear data bases, e.g., the Japanese evaluated nuclear data library JENDL-2 were used as a source of isotopic cross sections when these data are not provided in ENDF/B-V files for a natural element. These are needed mainly to estimate average quantities such as effective Q-values for the natural element. This analysis of local energy disposition was instrumental in detecting and understanding energy-balance deficiencies and other problems in the ENDF/B-V data