Measurements of neutrons at JET by means of the activation methods

The neutron diagnostics in tokamaks like Joint European Torus (JET) are essential in estimating fusion power. The neutron activation method, supported by neutron transport calculations, is particularly useful for the evaluation of the total neutron yield from a single plasma discharge. This paper presents the results of activation experiments and calculations carried out for JET plasmas, from the selection of the activation materials to their irradiations in the neutron field of JET discharges. Neutron transport calculations were performed, leading to activation coefficients for new materials. The results of the calculations were used to design new composite samples to obtain information on both the yield and the neutron spectrum. The neutron measurements using these new activation materials were performed during the last JET experimental campaigns. The results are compared with neutron transport calculations. Additionally, application of the cadmium difference method allows revelation of the part of thermal neutrons near the tokamak first wall. The advantages of new activation materials and benchmarking the activation method against neutron transport calculations are also discussed.