Dynamic Neutron Transport in Transient Systems: Revisiting Old Experiments with New Tools
Prof. Ryan McClarren
Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering
University of Notre Dame
In this talk I will use the setting of some old experiments (back to the 1940s) to discuss the challenges of dynamic neutron transport. These neutronics problems have the time dependent nature of the neutron field and the delayed-neutron precursors an essential feature of understanding the behavior of these systems. In particular, there will be a deep dive into the Dragon experiments of 1945 performed by Otto Frisch. I will discuss the challenges in modeling these systems and how we can simulate them today using modern simulations and data-driven modeling. Along the way I will point out the open problems in the theory of dynamic neutronics, the need for nuclear reaction data, and discuss the future research into modeling such systems.
Hosted by Dr. Manukyan