Determination of the PULSTAR research reactor neutron energy spectrum

The effect on materials due to bombardment by neutrons depends partly on the energy of the neutrons. It is helpful to know the neutron energy spectrum when carrying out material studies where a specific fluence rate at a particular energy range is desired. In addition, the neutron energy distribution over different energies is important for calculations supporting activation of an isotope with a particular threshold or resonance energy. Multiple activation of foils has been employed to calculate thermal, epithermal, and fast specific saturation activities of the neutron energy spectrum of the 1-MW PULSTAR research reactor at North Carolina State University (NCSU). The research reactor has various facilities that can be used for experiments. One such facility where the characterization analysis was reformed is the pneumatic transfer radiation facility.