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Modern fission event generators such as FREYA provide powerful frameworks for modeling the complete fission process on an event-by-event basis. Based on some input data, FREYA models the subsequent de-excitation of the fragments, including neutron and γ-ray emission. However, several aspects of the de-excitation process remain insufficiently constrained, particularly the angular momentum population of the fragments and the sharing of excitation energy between them.
The aim of this project is to investigate how uncertainties and variations in the physical parameters governing angular momentum generation and energy sharing influence fission observables. A methodology inspired by the Total Monte Carlo approach will be used, where model parameters are randomly modified within physically reasonable ranges to study correlations, sensitivities, and uncertainties in the predicted observables. The project will focus on benchmark systems such as ^{235}U(n,f), ^{239}Pu(n,f), ^{252}Cf(sf).
The project goals are:
- Learn how to run and modify FREYA and understand their treatment of fission fragment formation and de-excitation.
- Identify and vary key model parameters related to, Fragment angular momentum population, excitation energy sharing, neutron evaporation, γ-ray emission
- Develop a Total Monte Carlo framework to generate ensembles of randomized fission events with modified model parameters.
- Investigate how the modified parameter sets affect observables such as Prompt fission neutron multiplicity and spectra, Prompt fission γ-ray multiplicity and spectra, Angular momentum distributions, Fragment excitation energy distributions, Correlations as a function of fragment mass and total kinetic energy
- Compare the calculated observables with available experimental data and evaluate the sensitivity of different observables to specific model assumptions.
The project combines nuclear theory, Monte Carlo simulations, and data analysis. Programming experience in C++, Python, Fortran or ROOT is highly beneficial, together with an interest in computational physics and nuclear reactions.