Measuring neutron scattering cross sections for actinides

Cross sections and emission spectra of fast neutron interactions with actinides are crucial data inputs to models relevant to applications like nuclear energy and stockpile stewardship. Actinide elastic/inelastic neutron scattering cross sections are historically poorly constrained due to limited experimental data for these very challenging measurements that generally require neutron detection in high neutron background environments and large mass, radioactive actinide targets. A program of measurements tackling this need is underway at Triangle Universities Nuclear Laboratory (TUNL). The experiments utilize pulsed, monoenergetic neutron beams generated via the p(t,n)³He reaction and time of flight neutron detection with PSD scintillators. Results from initial test measurements on ²³⁸U and outlook for upcoming work will be presented.