Report on the 7th DAE-BRNS Workshop on EXFOR
Compilation of Nuclear Data
SINGH Jagjit
Meme Media Laboratory, Nuclear Reaction Data Centre, Faculty of Science,
Hokkaido University

Abstract
In this report, contents of 7th DAE-BRNS Workshop on Compilation of Experimental Nuclear Data, are discussed. This workshop is aimed towards making EXFOR
entries and in nurturing the EXFOR data compilation activity of the Nuclear Data
Physics Center of India (NDPCI) along with training attendees over the compilationof data with series of lectures and seminars.

1Introduction

Seventh DAE-BRNS Workshop cum Theme meeting on EXFOR compilation of experimental nuclear data is jointly organized by the Nuclear Data Physics Center of India (NDPCI), BRNS-DAE,Mumbai and Department of Physics, North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Shillong, Meghalaya, India. India is a member of the Nuclear Reaction Data Center network of 12 Nations. A
server in BARC, Mumbai [2], is at present mirroring the nuclear data services (NDS) of IAEA,
Vienna [1]. EXFOR, one of the nuclear data bases of NDS is used for the compilation of thepublished experimental nuclear reaction data for incident neutron, gamma radiation and charged
particles on various targets. EXFOR database has wide applications for nuclear data evaluators,applied users, theoretical nuclear physicists and experimentalists. NDPCI, with active support
from DAE-BRNS has successfully conducted, six EXFOR training workshops at BARC, Mumbai(2006, 2007), University of Rajasthan, Jaipur (2009), Panjab University, Chandigarh (2011), Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi (2013) and Bangalore University, India (2015) respectively wherenuclear scientists, university faculty, research scholars and students took active part. This workshop was held in NEHU and is the first in East India.
EXFOR is an international effort under the auspices of NRDC, IAEA towards exhaustive collection and dissemination of experimental nuclear data. India is one of the member states of NRDC
and has been actively contributing to EXFOR database through Nuclear Data Physics Centre ofIndia (NDPCI), which is the nodal centre of nuclear data activity in India. This 7th DAE-BRNS
Workshop on Compilation of Experimental Nuclear Data (EXFOR-2017), was attended by 40+
participants from various parts of India, IAEA and JCPRG, Japan. This report presents the briefs
of 7th DAE-BRNS Workshop on Compilation of Experimental Nuclear Data (EXFOR-2017). The
report is organized as follows: section 2 describes the objectives of workshop. Section 3 describes
the main topis discussed by various resource persons from the Austria and India. Section 4 presents
the report on Indian EXFOR compilation activities. Finally, section 5 presents conclusions.
- 54 -2Objectives• Scope, contents, objectives and importance of EXFOR database.
• Indian nuclear data mirror website of NDS.
• Basic introduction: How to use EXFOR.
• Editor and Digitization software for EXFOR applications.
• Indian nuclear physics and nuclear data experiments.
• Tutorials and EXFOR coding exercises.
• Creation of new EXFOR entries and their review.
• Practical computer sessions with feedback.

3

Main Topics of the Agenda

3.1

Introduction to IAEA Nuclear Data Services

Figure 1: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Nuclear Data Services (NDS) web page
snapshot [1].
In first lecture N. Otsuka briefly introduced about the IAEA Nuclear Data Services. The
various data bases available are shown in Fig 1. The biblographic data bases are Computer Indexof Nuclear Reaction Data (CINDA) and Nuclear Science References (NSR). The bibliography ofmeasured, calculated, reviewed and evaluated cross-sections and other microscopic neutron data isindexed in CINDA. CINDA database is extended by photo nuclear and charged particle reaction
data, since 2005. This data base is managed by NDS, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna,Austria. The bibliography of nuclear physics articles of more than 80 journals, of past 10 decades isindexed in NSR data base. This data base is managed by National Nuclear Data Center (NNDC),
Brookhaven National Laboratory, USA. The Experimental Nuclear Reaction Data (EXFOR) andEvaluated Nuclear Data File (ENDF) are nuclear reaction data bases. The compiled experimental
neutron nuclear reaction data, since the discovery of neutron is contained in EXFOR data base. As
per statistics on 10 May, 2017, EXFOR library contains data from 21623 experiments. Evaluatedcross sections, spectra, angular distributions, fission product yields, photo-atomic and thermal
scattering law data, with emphasis on neutron induced reactions is maintained in ENDF data base.
- 55 -

The data were analyzed by experienced nuclear physicists to produce recommended libraries forone of the national nuclear data projects (USA, Europe, Japan, Russia and China). These databases are managed by NDS, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria. He also briefly
introduced about Evaluated Nuclear Structure Data File (ENSDF) and Live Chart of Nuclides.

3.2

Introduction to EXFOR

Figure 2: The International network of Nuclear Reaction Data Centers (NRDC) across the world
under auspices of Nuclear Data Services (NDS)- Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) [1].
The second lecture of N. Otsuka was devoted towards introduction to EXFOR. 12 centres
from 8 countries (China, Hungary, India, Japan, Korea, Russia, Ukraine, USA) and 2 internationalorganisations (NEA, IAEA) are collaborating for EXFOR compilation under the auspices of IAEA
NDS. Indian Centre (NDPCI, coordinated by Prof. A. Saxena, BARC) is responsible to neutron,charged-particle and photonuclear reaction data measured in India. He put light on statistics ofexperiments of EXFOR- compilation. He also explained the scope of EXFOR compilation alongwith very minute details of an EXFOR entry.

3.3

EXFOR/ENDF database

Third lecture of N. Otsuka was devoted towards EXFOR/ENDF data base. In this lecture hedescribed the various aspects of EXFOR/ENDF data base along with full fledge exercise session.
This lecture was really successful in the sense that, attendees got their hand over extracting dataof cross section from EXFOR data base and comparison with Evaluated Data Libraries.

3.4

EXFOR Comiplation

Last lecture of N. Otsuka was devoted towards compilation of an common article for all attendees
to have hand on the EXFOR editor. He explained all the sections of an EXFOR entery very detailed
manner to train new compilers.

3.5

Introduction of GSYS 2.4.7 Digitizer

This lecture was given by one of former colleague from JCPRG Vidya Devi. She explained
installation of GSYS 2.4.7, introduced the digitization of numerical data, symmetric, asymmetric- 56 -error and output with very detailed manner in an exercise session.

3.6

Checking tools and finalization of an EXFOR entry

This session was taken by B. Lalremruata. He explained very common errors which one can caseduring compilation, like Illegal reaction pointer(Editor Specific error), Nonmonatonic data field,WARNING Extinct code found etc. He also explained very briefy the checking tools, CHEX andJanis Trans Checker.

3.7

Other topics covered

There are other wide variety of interesting lectures by various resource persons given. D. Raj
reported about Nuclear Data and Its Application in Nuclear Fuel Cycles along with brief introduction of Indian nuclear reactors.
G. Mukhrjee reported about ENSDF another data base.
P. K. Joshi reported about how to handle statistical data.

4A Status report on Indian EXFOR compilation activities

This session was reported by B. K. Nayak, to conclude the workshop. Figure ?? reports thecontribution from India to EXFOR, in last couple of years. In this biannual workshop at NEHU,
40+ new Indian articles are compiled. He also took feedback from attendees for improvement ofthe organization of future workshops. In nut shell this workshop was really successful in learning
new things about EXFOR compilation.

Figure 3: Contribution from India to EXFOR (Figure taken from slides presented by N. Otsuka inEXFOR-2017).

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Figure 4: All resource persons of the EXFOR-2017.

Figure 5: Lectures in progress.

5Summary

This workshop has drifted the nuclear data compilation activity and have resulted in substantial
contributions to the IAEA-EXFOR database as well as encouraged Indian nuclear physicists toendeavor for international reckoning by making EXFOR compilation as an integral part of theirresearch.

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Acknowledgment
Travel support provided by JCPRG (Hokkaido University, Japan), and local support provided byorganizers of EXFOR 2017, was gratefully acknowledged.

References[1] https://www-nds.iaea.org/.
[2] https://www-nds.indcentre.org.in/.

- 59 -Annex. I
List of participants
NameAffiliation

A. Bhattacharya
V. Mishra
N. K. Rai
A. Gandhi
A. Sharma
D. Choudhury
Imranpasha
J. Singh
J. Gangadharan K
K. M. Eshwarappa
M. R. Karkera
Muhammed Shan P T
M. R. Srinivasan
R. Lalnuntluangi
Rudraswamy B
Sachhidananda H B
T. K. Rana
S. Kundu
S. Biswas
V. D. Bharud
S. Parashari
J. Acharya
T. Selwyn GS. SubramanianN. Kalita
M. P. Bora
N. K. Deb
M. Rahman
N. Otsuka
D. RajV. Devi
G. Mukherjee
P. K. Joshi
B. K. Nayak
S. Mukherjee
D. Suchiang
E. M. L. Buam

Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, India
Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
BanarasHindu University, Varanasi, India
Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
IET Bhaddal, Punjab, India
Saha Institute of NuclearPhysics, Kolkata, India
Bangalore University, Bangalore, India
Nuclear Reaction Data Centre, Hokkaido University, Japan.
National Institute of Technology, Calicut, India
Government First Grade College, India
Manipal University, Karnataka, India
University of Calicut, India
Ramaiah University ofApllied Sciences, India
Mizoram University, Aizawl, India
Bangalore University, Bangalore, India
Siddaganga Institute ofTechnology, Tumakuru, India
Variable Energy Cyclotron Cenre, India
Variable Energy Cyclotron Cenre, India
Murshidabad College of Engineering and Technology, India
Savitribai Phule Pune University, India
Maharaja Sayajirao University, Baroda, India
Maharaja Sayajirao University, Baroda, India
Madras Christian College, University of Madras, India
V. O. Chidambaram College, India
Assam Don Bosco University, India
Assam Don Bosco University, IndiaGuwahati University, India
Assam Don Bosco University, India
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Vienna, Austria
Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, India
IET Bhaddal, Punjab, India
Variable Energy Cyclotron Cenre, India
Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (TIFR), India
Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, India
Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, India
Tura Govt. College, Tura, Meghalaya, India
St. Marys College, Shillong, Meghalaya, India- 60 -Annex. II
PROGRAM
March 06

Monday09 : 00 − 09 : 30
9 : 45 − 10 : 45
10 : 45 − 11 : 15
11 : 15 − 12 : 00
12 : 00 − 13 : 00

16 : 00 − 16 : 30
16 : 30 − 18 : 00
18 : 00 − 20 : 00
20 : 00

Registration
Inaugural Session
Tea/Coffee break
Lecture on Nuclear Data and Its Application in Nuclear Fuel Cycles, by D. Raj (BARC)
Lecture on Introduction to IAEA Nuclear Data Service, by N. Otsuka (IAEA-NDS)
Exercise on NSR and Live Chart of Nuclides, by N. Otsuka (IAEA-NDS)
Lunch break
Lecture on Introduction to EXFOR, by N. Otsuka (IAEA-NDS
Lecture on EXFOR/ENDF database, by N. Otsuka (IAEA-NDS)
Tea/Coffee break
Exercise on EXFOR/ENDF database, by N. Otsuka (IAEA-NDS)
Cultural Program
DinnerMarch 07

Tuesday

09 : 30 − 10 : 30
10 : 30 − 11 : 00
11 : 00 − 13 : 00
13 : 00 − 14 : 00
14 : 00 − 16 : 00
16 : 00 − 16 : 30
16 : 30 − 18 : 30
18 : 30 − 19 : 30
19 : 30

Lecture by Dr. Gopal Mukhrjee (VECC)
Tea/Coffee break
Lecture on EXFOR FORMATS, by N. Otsuka (IAEA-NDS)
Lunch break
Lecture/ Exercise-EXFOR Editor + Common Article(RG- Compiling Subentry1)
Tea/Coffee breakLecture/ Exercise-EXFOR Editor + Common Article (SB-Compiling Subentry2)
Assignment of articles to participants for new Indian entries
Exercise-Compilation of new articles
DinnerMarch 08

Wednesday

09 : 30 − 10 : 30
10 : 30 − 11 : 00
11 : 00 − 13 : 00
13 : 00 − 14 : 00
14 : 00 − 16 : 00
16 : 00 − 16 : 30
16 : 30 − 17 : 00
17 : 00 − 19 : 30
19 : 30

Lecture on how to handle statistical data by Dr. P. K. Joshi (TIFR)
Tea/Coffee break
Lecture/ Exercise- Digitization by V. Devi (IET-Bhaddal)
Lunch breakExercise-Compilation of new Indian Articles
Tea/Coffee break
Lecture Checking tool and finalization by B. Lalremruata (Mizoram University)
Exercise Compilation of new Indian articles (ALL)
Dinner13 : 00 − 14 : 00
14 : 00 − 16 : 00

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Annex. II (contd..)
PROGRAM
March 09

Thursday09 : 30 − 10 : 30
10 : 30 − 11 : 00
11 : 00 − 13 : 00
13 : 00 − 14 : 00
14 : 00 − 16 : 00
16 : 00 − 16 : 30
16 : 30 − 19 : 30
19 : 30

Lecture by Dr. Gopal Mukhrjee (VECC)
Tea/Coffee break
Exercise Compilation of new Indian articles (ALL)
Lunch break
Exercise Compilation of new Indian articles (ALL)
Tea/Coffee break
Exercise Compilation of new Indian articles (ALL)
DinnerMarch 10Friday

09 : 30 − 10 : 30
10 : 30 − 11 : 00
11 : 00 − 13 : 00
13 : 00 − 14 : 00
14 : 00 − 16 : 00
16 : 00 − 16 : 30
16 : 30 − 19 : 30
19 : 30

Exercise Compilation of new Indian articles (ALL)
Tea/Coffee break
Exercise Compilation of new Indian articles (ALL)
Lunch break
Exercise Compilation of new Indian articles (ALL)
Tea/Coffee breakConcluding Session
Dinner- 62 -