From fission yield measurements to evaluation: new statistical methodology applied to 235U(nth, f ) mass yields

Abstract

The study of fission yields has a major impact on the characterization and understanding of the fission process and is mandatory for reactor applications. The mass and isotopic yields of the fission fragments have a direct influence on the predictions of fuel burn-up and decay heat. Moreover, these data are requested for other studies as delayed neutron evaluation, antineutrino flux assessment or reactor program. Today, the lack of covariance matrix associated to evaluated fission yields induces overestimated uncertainties of mass yields since these observables result from the sum of isotopic and isomeric yields. Our collaboration starts a new program in the field of the evaluation of fission products in addition to the current experimental program. The goal is to define a new methodology of evaluation based on statistical tests in order to provide the best estimation with consistent sets of measurements. A ranking of solutions with associated covariance based on Shannon’s entropy criterion is proposed for the mass yields from 235 U(nth, f) reaction.