Fundamental Study on Neutron Spectrum Unfolding using Maximum Entropy and Maximum Likelihood Method

Abstract

We present a novel spectrum unfolding code, Maximum Entropy and Maximum Likelihood Unfolding Code (MEALU), based on the maximum likelihood combined with the maximum entropy method, which can determine a neutron spectrum without requiring an initial guess spectrum. We present the basic theory, limitations and assumptions built into the implementation. The performance is checked through an analysis of mock-up data. The results are compared with those obtained by conventional methods for neutron spectrum unfolding. KEYWORDS: neutron spectrum unfolding, maximum entropy method, maximum likelihood method, unde rdetermined problem