@article{sun_gardner_2004, title={Optimization of the steady neutron source technique for absorption cross section measurement by using an Sb-124-Be neutron source}, volume={213}, ISSN={["0168-583X"]}, DOI={10.1016/S0168-583X(03)01527-1}, abstractNote={An improved experimental approach has been developed to determine thermal neutron absorption cross sections. It uses an 124Sb–Be neutron source which has an average neutron energy of only about 12 keV. It can be moderated in either a water tank or a paraffin filled box and can be used for aqueous or powder samples. This new design is first optimized by MCNP simulation and then benchmarked and calibrated with experiments to verify the simulations and realize the predicted improved measurement sensitivity and reproducibility. The 124Sb–Be source device is from 1.35 to 1.71 times more sensitive than the previous method based on the use of a 252Cf source.}, journal={NUCLEAR INSTRUMENTS & METHODS IN PHYSICS RESEARCH SECTION B-BEAM INTERACTIONS WITH MATERIALS AND ATOMS}, author={Sun, J and Gardner, RP}, year={2004}, month={Jan}, pages={22–28} }