ANS is committed to advancing, fostering, and promoting the development and application of nuclear sciences and technologies to benefit society.
Explore the many uses for nuclear science and its impact on energy, the environment, healthcare, food, and more.
Explore membership for yourself or for your organization.
Conference Spotlight
Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
September 8–11, 2025
Atlanta, GA|Atlanta Marriott Marquis
Standards Program
The Standards Committee is responsible for the development and maintenance of voluntary consensus standards that address the design, analysis, and operation of components, systems, and facilities related to the application of nuclear science and technology. Find out What’s New, check out the Standards Store, or Get Involved today!
Latest Magazine Issues
Aug 2025
Jan 2025
Latest Journal Issues
Nuclear Science and Engineering
September 2025
Nuclear Technology
Fusion Science and Technology
August 2025
Latest News
New coolants, new fuels: A new generation of university reactors
Here’s an easy way to make aging U.S. power reactors look relatively youthful: Compare them (average age: 43) with the nation’s university research reactors. The 25 operating today have been licensed for an average of about 58 years.
J. K. Dickens
Nuclear Science and Engineering | Volume 50 | Number 2 | February 1973 | Pages 98-107
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/NSE73-A23233
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Interactions of neutrons with sodium have been studied by measuring gamma-ray-production cross sections. Spectra were obtained for incident mean neutron energies En = 4.85, 5.4, 5.9, 6.45, 7.0, and 7.5 MeV. Data were obtained at angles of 125 and 55 deg using Ge(Li) detectors. Time-of-flight was used to discriminate against pulses due to neutrons and background radiation.Absolute cross sections for production of gamma rays were obtained for the incident neutron energies quoted above. The data have been compared with previous inelastic neutron scattering results and evaluated cross sections, with good agreement. The spectra were studied for gamma rays which could be associated with deexcitation of nuclear levels having unknown decay modes. Gamma rays were found having energies appropriate for decay of levels at excitation energies Ex = 5762, 5934, 5967, 6115, 6576, and 6866 keV.