Projekt NCN OPUS pt. "Precyzyjne pomiary neutronowych przekrojów czynnych przy urządzeniu n_TOF w CERN" (UMO-2021/41/B/ST2/00326))

Abstract

High precision neutron-induced cross-section measurements are of major importance for a wide variety of research fields in fundamental and applied nuclear physics. In the field of nuclear structure such measurements allow to study excited levels close to the neutron binding energy and to obtain information on nuclear properties such as level density, their widths, etc. One of the most interesting research area of nuclear astrophysics is stellar nucleosynthesis. High precision studies of the nuclear processes in stars and stellar environment allows to understand evolution of the chemical elements in the Universe. First aim of the presented project is to obtain reaction cross sections important for nuclear astrophysics: 26Al(n,p), 26Al(n,alpha) and 77,78Se(n,g). These data will allow to reduce uncertainty in determination of the abundance of elements in the mid-mass region. Regarding to field of nuclear technology, next aim of the project is to measure 239Pu(n,g) and 50,53Cr(n,g) cross sections. These data are essential for the design and operation of current and innovative nuclear systems such as ADS and Gen-IV reactors. Measurements are planned to be proceed at CERN, with using neutron spallation source. Authors of the project (the group from the University of Lodz) are members of the n_TOF Collaboration since 2004, very good organized and effectively working international team, which brings together peoples from many universities and research centers not only from Europe.