This thesis shows the theory for determining the prompt neutron generation time of a nuclear reactor using perturbation theory and a 1/v absorber. Three methods are discussed as experimental procedures based on the reactor design and measurement techniques. This thesis uses the reactivity oscillator in the Idaho State University AGN℗Ơ201 reactor along with boron-10 samples to conduct the experiments. Asymptotic period measurements determine the reactivity worth of the boron-10 samples and are compared to DISNEL simulations. The DISNEL simulations produced generation times varying from 35-56 u.sec depending on the mass of boron added to the reactor. Experimental results were much lower than expected ranging from 6-15 pec. Possible reasons that can be corrected with future research are offered in the results and conclusion section.

A reactivity oscillator was constructed to be used with the AGN 201 nuclear reactor located at the Idaho State University Nuclear Engineering Laboratory. The focus of this thesis was the calibration of the pilot rod for this reactivity oscillator system. The pilot rod was calibrated using a cadmium absorber. The absorber was characterized using power history traces while the absorber0́9s effects were determined at one cm intervals from the center of the beam port to the edge of the reflector. A perturbation calculation was used to validate the experimental results for the absorber position closest to the core. The experimental reactivity at the most reactive position, the center of the beam port, was 5.161℗ł0.22 cents. The calculated reactivity was 19.6% lower than the experimental result. Based on the assumptions made in the derivation of the calculation0́9s reactivity this result is acceptable.

A compilation of currently available electronic versions of NRC regulatory guides.