Comparison of reactivity estimations obtained from rod-drop and pulsed neutron source experiments

Experimental estimates of a subcritical level using rod-drop and pulsed neutron source (PNS) techniques are presented. First, three methods were applied to the same rod-drop data set: the prompt drop, area and linear fit methods. Second, two methods were applied to the same PNS data set: the prompt decay and area methods. Except for the prompt decay PNS method, all the other methods are in good agreement. It is shown that the area PNS method is the least space-dependent and the most accurate.