Reaction rate, fission product yield, and Rossi-α measurements using a HEU metal, copper reflected critical assembly

A critical experiment was performed on the Comet assembly to provide nuclear data in a non-thermal neutron spectrum and to re-establish experimental measurement capabilities relevant to the United States Department of Energy's general purpose nuclear criticality experiments capability and to the Technical Nuclear Forensic program. Activation and fission foils were placed at specific locations in the Zeus all-oralloy core, copper reflected critical experiment to infer spectral indices data and obtain reaction rates data. After the irradiation, passive gamma-ray measurements were performed on all the foils and several of them were packaged and shipped to Los Alamos National Laboratory for further radiochemical analysis. The results from the non-destructive and radiochemical analyses are presented in this paper. Finally, Rossi- measurements were performed on a slightly modified configuration from the configuration used for the activation measurements. The Rossi- results are presented and compared to past measurements performed using other critical assemblies.