Combination of resonance integral and Maxwellian 30 keV data – A sensitive test of the resonance region

This paper presents the approach of a combined use of resonance integrals and average Maxwellian cross sections (MACS) at kT = 30 keV to test and validate the resolved resonance range or its reconstructed cross section curve. Based on these two integral measurements a sensitive and energy dependent test can be provided. These two integral quantities cover with their neutron spectra the energy region between En = 0.5 eV up to several hundred keV, respectively, with different weighting. Our principal motivation is to produce a validation tool, sensitive to the lower and upper parts of the resonance region through the difference in the applied 1/E and kT = 30 keV Maxwell–Boltzmann spectra of the resonance integral and MACS data.

► Neutron-induced capture cross sections can be tested by considering the Resonance Integral and Maxwellian average cross section at 30 keV.
► Results are presented for typical reactions from EAF-2010 and ENDF/B-VII.1.
► Including data at the energies of 14.5 MeV and 0.0253 eV as well as the spontaneous fission spectrum of 252-Cf improve the validation process.
► Examples where capture reactions can be improved by this validation procedure are presented.