Torres-Sanchez, P., Lerendegui-Marco, J., Balibrea-Correa, J., Babiano-Suarez, V., Gameiro, B., Ladarescu, I., et al. (2025). The potential of the i-TED Compton camera array for real-time boron imaging and determination during treatments in Boron Neutron Capture Therapy. Appl. Radiat. Isot., 217, 111649–9pp.
Abstract: This paper explores the adaptation and application of i-TED Compton imagers for real-time dosimetry in Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT). The i-TED array, previously utilized in nuclear astrophysics experiments at CERN, is being optimized for detecting and imaging 478 keV gamma-rays, critical for accurate BNCT dosimetry. Detailed Monte Carlo simulations were used to optimize the i-TED detector configuration and enhance its performance in the challenging radiation environment typical of BNCT. Additionally, advanced 3D image reconstruction algorithms, including a combination of back-projection and List-Mode Maximum Likelihood Expectation Maximization (LM-MLEM), are implemented and validated through simulations. Preliminary experimental tests at the Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL) demonstrate the potential of i-TED in simplified conditions, with ongoing experiments focusing on testing imaging capabilities in realistic BNCT conditions.
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Tagliente, G. et al, Babiano-Suarez, V., Domingo-Pardo, C., Ladarescu, I., & Tain, J. L. (2024). High-resolution cross section measurements for neutron interactions on 89Y with incident neutron energies up to 95 keV. Eur. Phys. J. A, 60(1), 21–18pp.
Abstract: The cross section of the Y-89(n,gamma) reaction has important implications in nuclear astrophysics and for advanced nuclear technology. Given its neutron magic number N = 50 and a consequent small neutron capture crosssection,89Y represents one of the key nuclides for the stellars-process. It acts as a bottleneck in the neutron capture chain between the Fe seed and the heavier elements. Moreover, it is located at the overlapping region, where both the weak and mains-process components take place.Y-89, the only stable yttrium isotope, is also used in innovative nuclear reactors. Neutron capture and transmission measurements were per-formed at the time-of-flight facilities n_TOF at CERN and GELINA at JRC-Geel. Resonance parameters of individual resonances were extracted from a resonance analysis of the experimental transmission and capture yields, up to a neutron incident energy of 95 keV. Even though a comparison with results reported in the literature shows differences in resonance parameters, the present data are consistent with the Maxwellian averaged cross section suggested by the astro-physical database KADoNiS.
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Perkowski, J. et al, Babiano-Suarez, V., Balibrea-Correa, J., Domingo-Pardo, C., Ladarescu, I., & Lerendegui-Marco, J. (2024). Multi-section fission ionization chamber for measurement of 239Pu(n, γ) reaction in fission tagging method. Nucl. Instrum. Methods Phys. Res. A, 1067, 169649–8pp.
Abstract: The Pu-239(n, gamma) reaction cross section is very important for operation of both thermal and fast reactors, when loaded with MOX fuels. According to the NEA/OECD High Priority Request List the precision of cross section data for this reaction should be improved. The cross section of (n, f) reaction is much higher compared to (n, gamma) for this isotope. In such conditions the fission tagging technique could be applied to identify the fission background. In the past, this technique was successfully used for capture measurements at the nTOF facility at CERN. The multi-section fission ionization chamber was constructed and used in the combination with Total Absorption Calorimeter (TAC) for detecting gamma rays for the precise measurement of Pu-239(n, gamma) reaction cross section at the nTOF facility.
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n_TOF Collaboration(Zugec, P. et al), Babiano-Suarez, V., Caballero-Ontanaya, L., Domingo-Pardo, C., Ladarescu, I., & Tain, J. L. (2025). Measurement of the natC(n,p) and natC(n,d) reactions from n_TOF at CERN. Phys. Lett. B, 868, 139713–7pp.
Abstract: The energy dependence of the cross section of the (n,p) and (n,d) reactions on C-nat has been studied for the first time at the nTOF facility at CERN, from the particle detection threshold up to 25 MeV. The measurement was performed with two telescopes made of position-sensitive silicon Delta E-E detectors, covering the angular range from 20 degrees to 140 degrees. A detector efficiency has been determined by means of Monte Carlo simulations of the experimental setup. Various assumptions on the angular distributions and branching ratios of the excited levels of the residual B-11, B-12, B-13 nuclei were considered. In particular, theoretical calculations based on the TALYS-2.0 code were used and the systematic uncertainties in the analysis results were determined from the variations in these distributions. The nTOF data on the (n,p) and (n,d) reaction on carbon are characterized by a higher accuracy and wider energy range than currently available in literature. A comparison with current evaluations from different libraries reveals a rather significant disagreement with the n_TOF results, while a remarkable agreement is observed with the prediction of TALYS-2.0 for this light element.
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n_TOF Collaboration(Torres-Sanchez, P. et al), Babiano-Suarez, V., Caballero, L., Domingo-Pardo, C., Ladarescu, I., & Tain, J. L. (2023). Measurement of the 14N(n, p) 14C cross section at the CERN n_TOF facility from subthermal energy to 800 keV. Phys. Rev. C, 107(6), 064617–15pp.
Abstract: Background: The 14N(n, p) 14C reaction is of interest in neutron capture therapy, where nitrogen-related dose is the main component due to low-energy neutrons, and in astrophysics, where 14N acts as a neutron poison in the s process. Several discrepancies remain between the existing data obtained in partial energy ranges: thermal energy, keV region, and resonance region. Purpose: We aim to measure the 14N(n, p) 14C cross section from thermal to the resonance region in a single measurement for the first time, including characterization of the first resonances, and provide calculations of Maxwellian averaged cross sections (MACS). Method: We apply the time-of-flight technique at Experimental Area 2 (EAR-2) of the neutron time-of-flight (n_TOF) facility at CERN. 10B(n, & alpha;) 7Li and 235U(n, f ) reactions are used as references. Two detection systems are run simultaneously, one on beam and another off beam. Resonances are described with the R-matrix code SAMMY. Results: The cross section was measured from subthermal energy to 800 keV, resolving the first two resonances (at 492.7 and 644 keV). A thermal cross section was obtained (1.809 & PLUSMN; 0.045 b) that is lower than the two most recent measurements by slightly more than one standard deviation, but in line with the ENDF/B-VIII.0 and JEFF-3.3 evaluations. A 1/v energy dependence of the cross section was confirmed up to tens of keV neutron energy. The low energy tail of the first resonance at 492.7 keV is lower than suggested by evaluated values, while the overall resonance strength agrees with evaluations. Conclusions: Our measurement has allowed determination of the 14N(n, p) cross section over a wide energy range for the first time. We have obtained cross sections with high accuracy (2.5%) from subthermal energy to 800 keV and used these data to calculate the MACS for kT = 5 to kT = 100 keV.
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n_TOF Collaboration(Sosnin, N. V. et al.), Babiano-Suarez, V., Caballero, L., Domingo-Pardo, C., Ladarescu, I., & Tain, J. L. (2023). Measurement of the 77Se(n,gamma) cross section up to 200 keV at the n_TOF facility at CERN. Phys. Rev. C, 107(6), 065805–9pp.
Abstract: The 77Se(n,gamma) reaction is of importance for 77Se abundance during the slow neutron capture process in massive stars. We have performed a new measurement of the 77Se radiative neutron capture cross section at the Neutron Time-of-Flight facility at CERN. Resonance capture kernels were derived up to 51 keV and cross sections up to 200 keV. Maxwellian-averaged cross sections were calculated for stellar temperatures between kT = 5 keV and kT = 100 keV, with uncertainties between 4.2% and 5.7%. Our results lead to substantial decreases of 14% and 19% in 77Se abundances produced through the slow neutron capture process in selected stellar models of 15M0 and 2M0, respectively, compared to using previous recommendation of the cross section.
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n_TOF Collaboration(Sosnin, N. V. et al), Babiano-Suarez, V., Caballero-Ontanaya, L., Domingo-Pardo, C., Ladarescu, I., & Tain, J. L. (2024). Measurement of the 78Se(n, γ)79Se cross section up to 600 keV at the n_TOF facility at CERN. Phys. Rev. C, 110(6), 065805–12pp.
Abstract: The Se-78(n, gamma)Se-79 cross section has a high impact on the abundances of Se-78 produced during the slow neutron capture process (s process) in massive stars. A measurement of the Se-78 radiative neutron capture cross section has been performed at the Neutron Time-of-Flight facility at CERN using a set of liquid scintillation detectors that have been optimized for a low sensitivity to neutrons. We present resonance capture kernels up to 70 keV and cross section from 70 to 600 keV. Maxwellian-averaged cross section (MACS) values were calculated for stellar temperatures between kT = 5 and 100 keV, with uncertainties between 4.6% and 5.8%. The new MACS values result in substantial decreases of 20-30% of Se-78 abundances produced in the s process in massive stars and AGB stars. Massive stars are now predicted to produce subsolar Se-78/Se-76 ratios, which is expected since Se-76 is an s-only isotope, while solar Se-78 abundances have also contributions from other nucleosynthesis processes.
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n_TOF Collaboration(Sanchez-Caballero, A. et al), Babiano-Suarez, V., Balibrea-Correa, J., Domingo-Pardo, C., Ladarescu, I., & Lerendegui-Marco, J. (2026). Low-uncertainty measurement of the 239Pu(n,f) cross section at n_TOF in a very broad energy range from 0.02 eV up to 10 MeV. Phys. Lett. B, 872, 140070–8pp.
Abstract: The Pu-239(n,f) cross section was measured with uncertainties below 4% from 20 meV up to 10 MeV of neutron energy at CERN's n_TOF facility using a novel fission fragment detector with a 185.59 m flight path. Measured cross section was normalized to 1059(6) eV center dot b in the 9-20 eV energy range, and is consistent within uncertainties with the standard thermal value and the IAEA reference Pu-239(n,f) cross section. Experimental key values include the integral ratio I-3/I-1= 41.20(42) defined by Duran et al. 2024 and the spectrum averaged cross section in Cf-252(sf) reference neutron field of 1802(40) mb.
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n_TOF Collaboration(Perez-Maroto, P. et al), Lerendegui-Marco, J., Domingo-Pardo, C., Babiano-Suarez, V., Balibrea-Correa, J., & Ladarescu, I. (2026). New measurement of 50Cr and 53Cr (n,γ) cross sections at n_TOF: a call for chromium nuclear data revision. Eur. Phys. J. A, 62(1), 5–19pp.
Abstract: Cr-50 and Cr-53 are very relevant in criticality safety benchmarks related to nuclear reactors. The discrepancies of up to 30% between the neutron capture cross section evaluations have an important effect on the k(eff) and k(infinity) in criticality benchmarks particularly sensitive to chromium. In this work, the Cr-50,Cr-53(n,gamma) cross sections are to be determined between 1 and 100 keV with an 8-10% accuracy following the requirements of the NEA High Priority Request List (HPRL) to solve the current discrepancies. We have measured these reactions by the time-of-flight technique at the EAR1 experimental area of the n_TOF facility, using an array of four C6D6 detectors with very low neutron sensitivity. The highly-enriched samples used are significantly thinner than in previous measurements, thus minimizing the multiple-scattering effects. We have produced, and analysed with the R-matrix analysis code SAMMY, capture yields featuring 33 resonances of Cr-50 and 51 of Cr-53 with an accuracy between 5% and 9%, hence fulfilling the requirements made by the NEA. The differential and integral cross sections have been compared to previous data and evaluations. The new measured Cr-50,Cr-53(n,gamma) cross sections provide a valuable input for upcoming evaluations, which are deemed necessary given that the results presented herein do not support the increase in both cross sections proposed in the recent INDEN evaluation.
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n_TOF Collaboration(Pavon-Rodriguez, J. A. et al), Lerendegui-Marco, J., Casanovas, A., Babiano-Suarez, V., Balibrea-Correa, J., Domingo-Pardo, C., et al. (2025). Characterisation of the neutron beam in the n_TOF-EAR2 experimental area at CERN following the spallation target upgrade. Eur. Phys. J. A, 61(12), 277–15pp.
Abstract: The n_TOF facility at CERN has undergone a major upgrade after the installation of a new spallation target, designed to improve the performance of both neutron beamlines at the experimental areas 1 and 2 (EAR1 and EAR2) and the commissioning of a new experimental area (NEAR). Due to improved coupling of the spallation target with the EAR2 beamline, the upgrade resulted in a significantly increased neutron flux and improved neutron energy resolution. This paper presents the results of the commissioning phase that followed to characterise the EAR2 neutron beamline and validate the FLUKA Monte Carlo simulations of the facility. The main characteristics of the neutron beam, namely the neutron flux, spatial profile and energy resolution, are evaluated and compared to the previous target. The neutron flux presents a general increase of 20% below 1 eV, 40% between 1 eV and 100 keV and 50% between 100 keV and 10 MeV. The measured width of the beam profile was 3 cm full width at half maximum (FWHM) at the reference position for neutron capture measurements. The energy resolution with the new spallation target shows a significant improvement compared to the previous one. Moreover, FLUKA Monte Carlo simulations present a good agreement with the measured neutron flux and profile within uncertainties, and a remarkable reproduction of the energy resolution.
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