Benchmark Experiments of Fusion Neutron Induced Gamma-Ray Radioactivity in Various Structural Materials

Abstract

The fusion reactor inventory code FISPACT, together with the European Activation File EAF, is the European reference software for calculating the neutron-induced activation of fusion reactor relevant materials. Experimental verifications (benchmarks) of the code predictions have been performed at ENEA Frascati by means of an irradiation facility consisting of a D-T neutron generator and a moderator/reflector structure which is employed to mimic the neutron spectrum at the a fusion device first wall. Various materials (vanadium alloy, SiC, AISI 316, martensitic steel F82H, copper, tungsten, iron, niobium), candidates to be used in a fusion reactor, have been exposed to neutrons produced in the facility (about 10⁹ n cm⁻² s⁻¹) and the short and medium-lived induced radioactivity has been measured by gamma-ray spectroscopy. The experimental results have been used to validate the inventory code FISPACT, the physical database EAF, including its uncertainty predictions, and the composition of the material irradiated in particular for its minor elements and impurities. The comparison between calculated (C) and experimental results (E) is reported as C/E values and shows a satisfactory agreement for almost all radionuclides. Radionuclides for which there is not agreement between calculations and experiments are also discussed and an analysis of the causes of the lack of agreement is carried out.