238U Neutron Capture Cross Section Measurements at the GELINA Facility

A set of neutron capture experiments based on the time-of-flight technique were performed in order to determine the 238U capture cross section in the unresolved resonance region. The GELINA facility of the Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (IRMM) served as the neutron source. A pair of C6D6 liquid scintillators was used to register the prompt gamma rays emerging from the uranium sample. The analysis of the experimental data is based on the total energy principle applied in combination with the pulse height weighting technique. The experimental details along with the analysis process are described. The first results in the resolved resonance region are presented and their validity provide a solid base to extend the analysis and extract the average cross section in the keV region.