New capability for neutron transmission measurements at LANSCE: The DICER instrument

A new capability for neutron transmission measurements has been developed at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE). The DICER (Device for Indirect Capture Experiments on Radionuclides) instrument is designed to tightly constrain neutron-capture cross sections for short-lived radionuclides that are beyond the reach of direct techniques, via measurement and analysis of neutron transmission resonances on these same radionuclides. The innovative DICER apparatus enables simultaneous sample-in and sample-out measurements, thus minimizing the amount of sample material needed and reducing the measurements time by half. A description of the current status of the new transmission station, along with a performance overview and results from known reactions, will be presented.