Actinide Isotope Detection using Accelerator Mass Spectrometry
Adam Clark
Graduate Student, University of Notre Dame

The detection of anthropogenic actinide isotopes in the environment has served a critical role in the field of Nuclear Forensics. For particularly small samples, Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) provides the sensitivity required for the detection of long-lived minor actinides (i.e. ²³³U and ²³⁶U in the case of Uranium). Additional studies have used AMS measurements following the activation of a pure actinide sample to acquire integral (n, gamma) cross sections for minor actinides critical for Gen IV nuclear reactor designs. Progress on the implementation of a detection system capable of high-sensitivity actinide measurements has been made at the Nuclear Science Lab of the University of Notre Dame. Details highlighting the key developments towards a reliable measurement technique, as well as the projected detector system limitations, will be presented.

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First Measurements with ATHENA at Notre Dame
Drew Blankstein
Graduate Student, University of Notre Dame

Experimental cross sections are critical input for accurately modeling the nuclear processes that take place in a variety of astrophysical environments. A new detector has been designed and constructed to measure the total cross section of a variety of nuclear reactions relevant for astrophysics. The Active Target High Efficiency detector for Nuclear Astrophysics (ATHENA) has been constructed and commissioned here at Notre Dame. As an active target detector with a highly segmented anode, efficient measurement of total cross sections over a wide energy range are possible. Commissioning measurements, along with measurements of the ²⁵Mg(a,n)²⁸Si cross section will be discussed.

Hosted by Prof. Wiescher

All interested persons are invited to attend remotely—email nsladmin@nd.edu for information.