The NEA compiles and evaluates critical, subcritical, shielding and reactor physics experimental data into standardised benchmarks published within handbooks and/or collections, which allow scientists worldwide to use experimental data for the validation of calculation tools and nuclear data libraries. The work of the Agency in this area results in the NEA International Criticality Safety Benchmark Evaluation Project (ICSBEP), and the International Reactor Physics Experiments Evaluation (IRPhE) Handbooks, as well as the Shielding Integral Benchmark Archive and Database (SINBAD) collection.
The ICSBEP Technical Review Group met during the week of 11 October 2021 with 40 highly-experienced researchers from 12 countries to facilitate exchange of technical expertise. The participants thoroughly reviewed new series of experiments including critical experiments on structural materials, notably iron, copper and aluminum, as well as shielding experiments on neutron leakage through copper, to be published in the 2022 edition of the Handbook. The technical review group process, a final step which follows both an internal and an external review, ensures completeness, consistency, fitness for purpose and reliability of the evaluation report for the benefit of the end-users. The groups will continue reviewing experiments for both ICSBEP and IRPhE handbooks in December 2021.