Performance test of micro-fission chambers for in-vessel neutron monitoring of ITER

Yamauchi, Michinori*; Nishitani, Takeo; Ochiai, Kentaro; Morimoto, Yuichi*; Hori, Junichi; Ebisawa, Katsuyuki*; Kasai, Satoshi

JAERI-Tech 2002-032, 41 Pages, 2002/03

JAERI-Tech-2002-032.pdf:2.62MB

A micro-fission chamber and a dummy chamber without uranium were fabricated and the performance was tested. They are designed to be installed inside the vacuum vessel of compact ITER (ITER-FEAT) for neutron monitoring. Vacuum leak rate of the chamber, resistances between central conductor and outer sheath, and mechanical strength up to 50G acceleration were confirmed to meet design criteria. Gamma-ray sensitivity was measured with Co gamma-ray irradiation facility at JAERI Takasaki. The output signals for gamma-rays in Campbelling mode were estimated to be less than 0.1% those by neutrons at the location behind the blanket module in ITER-FEAT. Detector response for 14 MeV neutrons was investigated with the FNS facility. Excellent linearity between count rates and neutron fluxes was confirmed. According to the test for the change of surrounding materials, the sensitivity was enhanced by slow-downed neutrons, which agreed with the calculation result by MCNP-4C code. As a result, it was concluded that the developed micro-fission chamber is applicable for ITER-FEAT.