The measurement of the energy correlations between two 252Cf prompt fission neutrons

Investigating the Energy Correlation of Prompt Fission Neutrons

The energy correlations of prompt fission neutrons have typically been overlooked in neutron coincidence and multiplication measurement techniques, despite these methods being widely applied and even adopted as standards in various fields. This omission may introduce measurement deviations, particularly because detection efficiency is energy-dependent. This is especially critical for fast neutron coincidence and multiplication measurement techniques.

Time-Correlation Measurement Techniques
Several measurement techniques are employed to reliably obtain the experimental energy correlations of prompt fission neutrons. These including the prompt fission γ-ray tagging technique, pulse shape discrimination (PSD), time-of-flight (TOF) measurement, and time-correlation analysis method.

Contributing to the Development of Fission Physics
Energy spectra of prompt fission neutrons from ²⁵²Cf were obtained，correlated with neutrons of different energies. The measurements reveal that energy correlation between the coincident neutrons at 180° is positive, whereas the correlation at 90° is negative. These data are invaluable for the development and verification of fission physics theories.

Implications for Neutron Coincidence and Multiplication Measurement Techniques
The study confirms that the energies of prompt fission neutrons are interrelated. This finding indicates that the neutron energy correlations should be considered in the coincidence and multiplication measurement techniques to ensure more reliable measurement results, particularly for the fast neutron coincidence and multiplication measurement techniques.

The complete study is via by DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41365-025-01881-3