title: SPECTRON, a neutron noise measurement system in frequency domain.
abstract: This paper is dedicated to the presentation and validation of SPECTRON, a novel neutron noise measurement system developed at CEA Cadarache. The device is designed for the measurement of the β(eff) parameter (effective fraction of delayed neutrons) of experimental nuclear reactors using the Cohn-α method. An integrated electronic system is used to record the current from fission chambers. Spectra computed from measurement data are processed by a dedicated software in order to estimate the reactor transfer function and then the effective fraction of delayed neutrons as well as the prompt neutron generation time. After a review of the pile noise measurement method in current mode, the SPECTRON architecture is presented. Then, the validation procedure is described and experimental results are shown, supporting the proper functioning of this new measurement system. It is shown that every technical requirement needed for correct measurement of neutron noise is fulfilled. Measurements performed at MINERVE and EOLE, two experimental nuclear reactors at CEA Cadarache, in real conditions allowed us to validate SPECTRON.
authors.affiliation: CEA, DEN, DER, Instrumentation, Sensors and Dosimetry Laboratory, Cadarache, F-13108 Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, France.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: de Izarra
authors.affiliation: CEA, DEN, DER, Instrumentation, Sensors and Dosimetry Laboratory, Cadarache, F-13108 Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, France.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jammes
authors.affiliation: CEA, DEN, DER, Experimental Programs Laboratory, Cadarache, F-13108 St-Paul-lez-Durance, France.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Geslot
authors.affiliation: CEA, DEN, DER, Experimental Programs Laboratory, Cadarache, F-13108 St-Paul-lez-Durance, France.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Di Salvo
authors.affiliation: CEA, DEN, DER, Instrumentation, Sensors and Dosimetry Laboratory, Cadarache, F-13108 Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, France.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Destouches