Undergraduate Measurements of Neutron Scattering Cross Sections S. F. Hicks Department of Physics, University of Dallas, Irving, Texas USA In collaboration with Jeff Vanhoy Department of Physics, U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland USA and Steve Yates and Marcus McEllistrem Departments of Chemistry and Physics & Astronomy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky USA Research funded by Department of Energy through Grant # NEUP: NU-12-KY-UK ARUNA 2014 U. Dallas, U. KY, and USNA Collaboration

ARUNA 2014 The University of Dallas - A Catholic Liberal Arts University in Irving, TX 1380 Undergraduate Students Physics Majors Limited In-House Facilities for Research. The Physics Department Faculty: Dr. R. Olenick -Physics Education/Astronomy Dr. J. Moldenhauer –Astrophysics and Cosmology Dr. S. Hicks – Experimental Nuclear Physics

Undergraduate Research at the University of Dallas: B.S. requires a research project, an undergraduate thesis, and a talk at a professional meeting (56/60 B.S. in last 10 years) Outside research a necessity for students to fulfill the research requirement, e.g., NEUP research at the University of Kentucky. Luke Kersting 2010 Leslie Sidwell and Brett Combs 2012

Elastic /Inelastic Measurement Project  Critical need for high-precision and accurate elastic and inelastic neutron scattering data on materials important for fission reactor technology. Once obtained the data are sent to data evaluators.  Critical need for trained individuals. (NEUP initiative puts undergraduate students on the right pathway to becoming scientists and engineers.)  Part of the Advanced Fuel Cycle Initiative (AFCI) to develop safe, clean, and affordable energy sources. Goals of Gen IV: i)Safer ii)Sustainable iii)Economical iv)Physically Secure ARUNA 2014

“A Technology Roadmap for Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems,” Generation IV International Forum, December One of the Six Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems Inelastic Neutron Scattering Energy Loss Mechanism Fe * Neutron elastic and inelastic scattering cross sections are needed off of structural material such as Fe and coolants such as Na. ARUNA 2014

Inelastic Neutron Scattering Energy Loss Mechanism Fe * Relative Detector Efficiency 54 Fe at E n =3.0 MeV Student Projects: Participate in measurements at UKAL Analyze data sets, e.g., two or more angular distributions of elastically and inelastically scattered neutrons and a detector efficiency Solid line is ENDF model calculations

ARUNA 2014 Relative Detector Efficiency 54 Fe at E n =3.0 MeV Student Projects: Participate in measurements at UKAL Determine a detector efficiency Analyze two or more angular distributions of elastically and inelastically scattered neutrons Solid line is ENDF model calculations

ARUNA 2014 University of Dallas students have participated in nuclear structure and neutron scattering measurements at UKAL since Advantages: Students participate in all aspects of the measurements. A much better teaching environment than going to a more traditional user facility, e.g., the PSI. Projects are manageable in 10 weeks in the summer.

ARUNA 2014 NNDCGreen3.4MeV ENDFBlue3MeV Preliminary E n = 3.19 MeV. Results from E n = 3.19 MeV measurements on natural Fe: Comparison of nat Fe(n,n) nat Fe elastic neutron scattering angular distributions at E n =3.19 MeV with ENDF evaluated cross sections near the same energy MeV 3.30 MeV Statistical uncertainties 3-4%. E n =3.19 MeV 847-keV level. ENDF evaluated xsecs Fe-56 First Excited State.

University of Kentucky Modified Model CN VDG. ARUNA 2014 Experiments at the University of Kentucky provide students with many hands-on opportunities, including working on the accelerator. Zach Santonil – EE U. of Notre Dame in Fall Aaron French – ACS National Nuclear Summer School, NEUP Undergraduate Scholarship, U.S. Collegiate Athletic Association's National All-Academic Team.

ARUNA 2014 Statistics of Student Participants (18 years of funding- 31 students) Advanced Degrees (3 students are double counted)NumberPercentage Physics Ph.D. (Ohio State, UTD, Nebraska, Wash U,)412.9 Physics Ph.D. or Ph.D. Candidate (Vanderbilt, ?, ?)722.6 Engineering Ph.D. (Michigan)103.2 Engineering Ph.D. Candidate (Notre Dame, Princeton, TX Tech, Wisconsin,?,?)619.4 Total Ph.D Total Ph.D. or Ph.D. Candidate Terminal Masters (UNC, Syracuse, UTD, Chicago, Penn State, Hartford )619.4 Industry516.1 Physicians or Physician Candidate722.6 High School Teachers Total Advanced Physics or Engineering Degrees or Degree Candidates Total Advanced Degrees or Degree Candidates

ARUNA 2014 Conclusions UKAL is an excellent environment for undergraduate research Hands-on opportunities 84% of students have attained a Ph.D., M.S., or M.D.