The Effect of the Maxwell Distribution of Velocities on the Neutron Density and Diffusion Length in a Metal Sphere (open access)

The Effect of the Maxwell Distribution of Velocities on the Neutron Density and Diffusion Length in a Metal Sphere

The change in the simple [formula] distribution of neutrons in a spherical lump of uranium caused by the distribution in velocities of thermal neutrons is calculated. If the calculated curve is fitted as well as possible by a simple [formula] curve, it is shown that the value of [formula] obtained in this way is a function of [formula], the radius of the sphere. For small radii the [formula] obtained in this manner will be as much as 25% greater than the [formula] corresponding to average velocity neutrons. The change in the thermal utilization caused by the distribution in velocities is discussed. The flux of neutrons into a sphere is calculated taking into account the velocity distribution and this is compared with the usual theory.
Date: June 27, 1944
Creator: Plass, Gilbert N.
System: The UNT Digital Library