The INEL beryllium multiplication experiment: Annual report, FY88

Activities during FY88 were devoted to the preparations for the performance of an experiment to measure the multiplication of 14-MeV neutrons in bulk beryllium. A Kaman Model A-1254 Neutron Generator was obtained as excess property from Sandia National Laboratory, refurbished, and installed at the INEL manganese bath. The necessary electronic equipment was procured, control and signal lines were run in conduit between the experimental areas and the control room, a mechanism for handling the beryllium samples was devised, a beryllium shell was obtained to fill the void in the existing set of samples, and software was written for accumulating and analyzing the data from the experiment. Preliminary estimates have been made of the nature, magnitude, and uncertainty of the various corrections that must be applied to the data. All components are now in place for the performance of the beryllium multiplication experiment. 13 refs., 9 figs., 2 tabs