The 'Virtual Density' Principle of Neutronics and Its Application to Geometric Perturbation Theory

摘要

We have shown that this "virtual density" principle of neutronics can convert many geometric perturbations into precisely equivalent material density perturbations. Essentially, this technique eliminates all spatial error in geometric perturbation theory, leaving only spectral error. In the case of uniform core expansions, this allows first order perturbation theory to predict the reactivity shift with an error that is orders of magnitude smaller than achievable with direct application of perturbation theory.