Speaker
Description
The comprehensive experimental nuclear reaction data compilations were pioneered at the Metallurgical Laboratory (University of Chicago) and Los Alamos National
Laboratory [1,2] for the Manhattan Project needs. In 1947 many Manhattan Project alumni moved to a newly created Brookhaven National Laboratory to work on nuclear physics research and data compilations [3,4] in support of nuclear science and reactor research activities. Since the beginning, the data project has relied heavily on computer technologies available at the time, and Brookhaven compilations have been stored in the Sigma Center Information Storage and Retrieval System (SCISRS) that predated the EXFOR database.
The experimental data compilation efforts have always had an important international component. The IAEA Nuclear Data Section has been involved in this work since its creation in 1964. Other early contributors include NEA Data Bank, Paris, France, and the Institute of Physics and Power Engineering, Obninsk, USSR which were founded in 1964 and 1963, respectively. In 1969 an agreement on an exchange format was reached between four centers and July 1970 was chosen as the starting date for transmission of neutron data between the partners in the EXFOR data interchange format.
Currently, the compilation efforts are coordinated by the Nuclear Reaction Data Centers network (NRDC) worldwide, which was founded in 1979 and operates under the auspices of the IAEA. The data compilations in the USA are coordinated by the National Nuclear Data Center (NNDC), Brookhaven National Laboratory for the United States Nuclear Data Program (USNDP). In recent years, the EXFOR compilations became even more popular worldwide, and many organizations have joined. The database compilations represent one of the oldest continuously operated scientific collaborations that continue to archive and disseminate
nuclear data for nuclear science and technology.
[1] H.H. Goldsmith, H.W. Ibser, B.T. Feld, Neutron Cross Sections of the Elements A Compilation," Rev. Mod. Phys. 19, 259 (1947).
[2] R.R. Wilson,Los Alamos Technical Series; Nuclear Physics," LA-1009, Vol.3, Sec.A (1947).
[3] D.J. Hughes, T.W. Bonner, H. Goldstein, W.W. Havens, Jr., L. Kaplan, C.O. Muehlhause, A.H. Snell, J.R. Stehn, T.M. Snyder, R.F. Taschek, A. Wattenberg, C.W. Zabel, Neutron cross sections; a compilation of the AEC Neutron Cross Section Advisory Group. May 15, 1952," BNL-170 (1952).
[4] D.J. Hughes, J.A. Harvey,Neutron Cross Sections. July 1, 1955," BNL-325 (1955).