Neutronic analysis for in situ calibration of ITER in-vessel neutron flux monitor with microfission chamber

Neutronic analysis is performed for in situ calibration of the microfission chamber (MFC), which is the in-vessel neutron-flux monitor at the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). We present the design of the transfer system for a neutron generator, which consists of two toroidal rings and a neutron-generator holder, and estimate the effect of the system on MFC detection efficiency through neutronic analysis with the Monte Carlo N-particle (MCNP) code. The result indicates that the designed transfer system does not affect MFC detection efficiency. In situ calibrations by the point-by-point method and by the rotation method are also simulated and compared by neutronic analysis. The results indicate that the rotation method is appropriate for full calibration because the calibration time is shorter (all neutron-flux monitors can be calibrated simultaneously). However, the rotation method makes it difficult to compare the results with neutronic analysis, so the point-by-point method should be performed prior to full calibration to check the accuracy of the MCNP model.