Spin-flip probability for 7.6 MeV neutrons scattered inelastically (Q = −2.23 MeV) by a sulfur target

The spin-flip probability for 7.6 MeV (ΔE = 0.250 MeV) neutrons scattered inelastically (Q = ?2.23 MeV) from naturally occuring sulfur has been measured at scattering angles between 40° and 160° using a γ-correlated neutron time-of-flight method. The scattering by the natural sulfur target was assumed to be characteristic of ³²S. The results of the measurement were compared with an incoherent sum of statistical compound-nucleus (CN) and direct-interaction (DI) contributions. The DI contributions were obtained using either a DWBA calculation or the coupled-channel (CC) formalism. Neither combination of CN plus DI contributions reproduced the experimental spin-flip probability angular distribution which was peaked near 110° with a maximum value of 0.33 ± 0.08.     

Differential cross section and polarization for 2.63 MeV neutrons scattered from 12C

The differential cross section and polarization of 2.63 MeV neutrons scattered from ¹²C have been measured at eight angles between 17° and 118° in the laboratory system. By simultaneously fitting the cross section and polarization data, a set of scattering phase shifts was obtained. The values of the resulting d-wave phase shifts were larger than those of other existing sets of phase shifts in the energy region. A subsequent R-function analysis, reflecting these larger d-wave phase shifts, gave excellent fits to other experimental data below 3 MeV neutron energy region. The influence of narrow states at 7.50 and 7.55 MeV excitation energy in ¹³C is discussed.     

Investigation of fast neutron interaction with235U

The angular distribution of neutrons emitted by elastic, inelastic and fission processes on²³⁵U were measured at the incident neutron energies of 1.5, 1.9, 2.3, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0 and 5.5 MeV using nanosecond time-of-flight technique. The differential elastic scattering cross sections and their angular distributions at all the seven energies are presented. The total elastic scattering cross sections, angle and energy integrated cross sections for the inelastically scattered neutrons in energy bands of 200 keV, fission cross sections and the angular distributions of fission neutrons were extracted at 1.5, 1.9 and 2.3 MeV incident neutron energies. The energy distributions of the prompt fission neutrons and of the inelastically scattered neutrons are given at the incoming neutron energies of 1.5, 1.9 and 2.3 MeV; and the average fission neutron energies and the inelastic neutron evaporation temperatures were also evaluated at these energies.     

Bounds on the coupling parameters in field theoretical models of nuclear physics

Neutrons of energies within a 50 eV interval at 1970 eV have been selected from reactor neutrons by means of resonance scattering on a target of⁶³Cu and subsequently by the 1970 eV resonance of a⁸⁰Se target. Insertion of stationary filters and the technique of difference measurements with a resonance filter resulted in a high selectivity, which allowed the determination of cross sections for quasi-monoenergetic neutrons for the elements: H, C, O, F, Na, Mg, Al, Si, P, Cl, K, Ca, Sc, Ti, V, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Ga, Pb and Bi. The precision cross sections of Pb and H contribute to investigations of fundamental neutron interactions. The measured σ(Pb)=11.198±0.003 b was recently used to deriveα _n=(0.8±1)10^?3 fm³ for the electric polarizability of the neutron. The neutron-proton cross sectionσ(¹ H)=20.13±0.03 b and data at 143 keV, 〈1.3〉 MeV, 〈2.1〉 MeV and from the literature provide a refined set of the scattering parameters for the shape-independent effective-range approximation of the neutron-proton interaction.     

Scattering of fast neutrons on238U,average energy and angular distributions of fission neutrons

Angular distributions of neutrons elastically and inelastically scattered from²³⁸U have been measured with a time-of-flight spectrometer at seven incident neutron energies between 1.5 and 5.5 MeV. Inelastic angular distributions for groups of unresolved levels are given for incoming neutron energies of 1.5, 1.9 and 2.3 MeV. The corresponding neutron cross-sections were obtained relative to then-p scattering cross-sections. The average energies and angular distributions of the fission neutrons were extracted from the measured fission neutron spectra at 1.5,1.9 and 2.3 MeV. Cross-section calculations based on a spherical optical model have shown to be inadequate to describe the neutron-nucleus interaction in case of strong nuclear deformation. The experimental reality may be better approached, instead, if the calculations are made using a potential which takes into account the deformation of the target nucleus. Some of the present measurements are interpreted in this theoretical perspective.     

The polarization and differential cross section of fast neutrons scattered from 6Li and an R-function analysis of the interaction below 4 MeV

The analyzing power of ⁶Li for the elastic scattering of polarized neutrons with energies between 2 and 4 MeV, has been measured at six angles ranging from 25° to 150°. The polarized neutrons were generated from the reactions Pb(γ, n) and ¹²C(n, $\text{n}$), and their polarization was measured using the double-scattering method. The neutron energies were determined with a nanosecond timeof-flight spectrometer. In addition, the differential cross section was measured at three angles in the same energy range; the cross section was determined relative to the well-known n-¹²C cross section. The present results have been combined with existing data for the neutron total, (n, α), and differential elastic cross sections, in a reduced R-function analysis. Clear evidence of a p-wave triplet of shellmodel states emerges from the analysis.     

Spin-dependent effects in inelastic scattering

The differential cross sections for the inelastic scattering of 10 MeV, 19.6 MeV, 30.4 MeV, 40 MeV and 49.35 MeV protons to the 2⁺ state (1.409 MeV) in ⁵⁴Fe and of 19.6 MeV protons to the 2⁺ state (0.846 MeV) in ⁵⁶Fe are analyzed in conjunction with the available data on the asymmetries and spin-flip probability amplitudes. The scattering amplitudes for both one step (valence plus core polarization) and two step (intermediate resonance) processes are evaluated using an antisymmetrized distorted wave approximation. Collective model representations for both the one step (core polarization) and two step (intermediate resonance) processes are used, and included are the effects of deforming the full Thomas spin-orbit potentials. The one step processes are fixed by the analyses of the scattering of 30.4, 40 and 49.35 MeV protons, with the core polarization contributions being constrained by the B(E2) values for the γ-ray deexcitation of the 2⁺ states. The analyses of the 19.6 MeV data demonstrates the need for an extra (two step) contribution to the reaction process and are consistent with the virtual formation of an L = 3 giant resonance. The 10 MeV data most certainly demonstrate compound nucleus effects but could also have some strength due to the virtual formation of an intermediate L = 2 giant resonance. The resonance parameters are consistent with recent information concerning the mass variation of giant resonances.     

Angular-distribution neutron-emission spectra of niobium following bombardment by fast neutrons

Neutron-emission spectra at ten angles between 20 and 160 degrees and incident neutron energies of 5.9, 7.1 and 8.4 MeV were measured relative to the neutron field emitted after spontaneous fission of ²⁵²Cf. The angular distribution of inelastically scattered neutrons appears to be essentially isotropic where it can be separated from the dominant elastic scattering peak. Above an excitation energy of 4 MeV the spectra are well described by a Maxwellian temperature distribution.     

Messung der Neutronenpolarisation bei der Reaktion12C(d,n 0)13N mit Hilfe der Mott-Schwinger-Streuung

The polarization of neutrons produced in the reaction¹²C(d, n ⁰)¹³N was measured. Deuterons from the Karlsruhe isochronous cyclotron were used to induce this reaction at 51,5 MeV laboratory energy. The degree of polarization was determined by using the special features of Mott-Schwinger scattering. With an uranium scatterer analysing efficiencies of up to 0.92 can be obtained at very small angles (0.23°). The analysing efficiency can be calculated if the differential cross section at 0° and the total cross section is known. These quantities were experimentally determined. The differential cross section for 49.4 MeV neutrons, scattered by uranium, was measured between 0.88° and 2.10°. By an extrapolation the value 43.4±2.6 b/sr was found for the nuclear differential cross section at zero degree. A total cross section ofσ _t=4.80±0.22 b was obtained. The neutron polarization was measured at a reaction angle of 24.5° and the result isP=?0.45±0.07. This value is fairly above the semiclassical 1/3 limit and can be only explained, if spin orbit forces are taken into account. For (d, n) reactions this is the first neutron-polarization measurement above an energy of 20 MeV.     

On the use of averaging stopping power of recoiled nuclei for determining maximum neutron energy of 241Am–Be by superheated drop detectors

The average stopping power of the recoiled nuclei generated by neutron elastic interactions with the Freon-12 drops in a superheated drop detector has been used to determine the maximum neutron energy of the ²⁴¹Am–Be source. In an elastic interaction of neutrons with the Freon-12 liquid, the nuclei of ¹²C, ¹⁹F and ³⁵Cl with different values of stopping power are scattered. The stopping power of these scattered nuclei corresponding to the energy transferred to them through the head-on collision was extracted from the SRIM code. The stopping power values were weighted by considering the neutron–nucleus elastic scattering cross section and the number of each nucleus in the Freon-12 molecule and the average stopping power was calculated from known neutron energy.The maximum energy of the ²⁴¹Am–Be neutron source was estimated as 10.9 ± 3.0 MeV. The consistency between the determined energy and the other reported values confirms the validity of using the average stopping power in the superheated drop detectors. The average stopping power was also used to determine the threshold neutron energy as a function of external applied pressure at different temperatures. Knowing the threshold neutron energy as function of applied pressure, can be used in pressure scanning method for neutron spectrometry by superheated drop detectors.     

Possible resonance structure in the elastic scattering of neutrons by Y near En = 1 MeV

The total cross section as well as the differential cross section and polarization in the elastic scattering of 0.8–1.4 MeV neutrons by Y have been measured with neutron beams of energy spread less than 20 keV. Rather weak structure with widths ≈ 50 keV was observed at a few energies within this range. The data were analyzed by use of a model in which the scattering process is described in terms of resonance amplitudes superimposed on an optical-potential background. Although not completely definitive, this analysis indicates the existence of three intermediate-width resonances (two 1^? and one 1⁺) at neutron energies between ≈ 1.0 and 1.2 MeV. The properties of the 1^? resonances suggest that these are the parent states of the proposed T_> components of the El giant resonance observed near 21 MeV excitation energy in ⁹⁰Zr produced in the ⁸⁹Y(p,γ₀) reaction. The resolved resonance structure in this energy region is in reasonable agreement with a recent calculation of the energies and widths of negative-parity states in ⁹⁰Y.     

Determination of Moisture Content in Coke with <Superscript>239</Superscript>Pu–Be Neutron Source and BGO Scintillation Gamma Detector

A series of experiments has been conducted at the Frank Laboratory of Neutron Physics (FLNP) of the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR) in order to study the possibility of determining the moisture content of coke using a standard neutron source. The proposed method is based on a measurement of the spectrum of prompt γ rays emitted when samples are irradiated by fast and/or thermal neutrons. The moisture content is determined from the area of the peaks of characteristic γ rays produced in the radiative capture of thermal neutrons by the proton (E_γ = 2.223 MeV) and inelastic scattering of fast neutrons by ¹⁶O (E_γ = 6.109 MeV). The ²³⁹Pu–Be neutron source (〈E _n 〉 ~ 4.5 MeV) with an intensity of ~5 × 10⁶ n/s was used to irradiate the samples under study. A scintillation detector based on a BGO crystal was used to register the characteristic γ radiation from the inelastic fast neutron scattering and slow (thermal) neutron capture. This paper presents the results of humidity measurement in the range of 2–50% [1, 2].     

Strength functions of primary transitions following thermal neutron capture in strontium

The primaryE1,M1 andE2γ-radiation in^87,88,89Sr observed after thermal neutron capture was compared with the predictions of single particle and giant resonance models. The nuclei feature a wide range of neutron binding energies between 6.3 and 11.1 MeV, which makes a 5.5 MeV spectrum of primary transition energies available for investigation. The (n, γ) reaction was used to estimate the parameters of the spin-flip M1 giant resonance in strontium. The total energy weightedM1 strength of this resonance exceeds the results of shell model and random phase approximation calculations for⁹⁰Zr by a factor of 3–4. TheE1 strengths were found to agree with the established giant dipole resonance model. The few data on primaryE2 transitions do not allow to differentiate between the giant quadrupole resonance and the single particle models.     

Messung der Winkelverteilung der Neutronenpolarisation bei Streuung von 15,85 MeV-Neutronen am Kohlenstoff

AtE _n=15.85 MeV the angular distributions of neutron polarizationP(θ) for¹²C(n, n)¹²C and of scattering asymmetry A(θ) for¹² C(n,n′)¹² C ^*(Q=?4.43 MeV) have been measured. In a neutron time-of-flight method with a plastic scintillator as scatterer carbon recoil nuclei were used for detection. Polarized neutrons were produced in thed-t reaction atE _d=1.90 MeV at a reaction angle of 70° (lab.). WithP _n=?0.135 scattering polarizations P(θ) are forθ _lab=30, 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80° respectively ?27.0±2.1, ?48.4±2.7, ?68.7±3.6, ?20.7±6.2, +5.3±3.9, and +2.1±4.5%.     

Excitation and neutron decay of xenon studied by forward-angle scattering of high-energy 17O ions

Excitation energy spectra and neutron decay of xenon have been measured in extreme forward angle scattering of 250A and 400A MeV ¹⁷O ions, using one quadrant of the CELSIUS storage ring as a magnetic spectrometer. The observed excitation energy spectrum, ranging from 12 to 36 MeV, has been compared with Coulomb cross section calculations. Neutron and missing energy spectra are compared with statistical decay calculations using the code CASCADE. In addition to statistical decay from giant resonances and other continuum excitations, a large fraction of forward peaked fast neutrons was observed throughout the entire excitation energy region. A possible reaction mechanism behind these fast neutrons is discussed.     

Measurement of the 2H(p,n) Breakup Reaction at 170 MeV and the Three-Nucleon Force Effects

The effects of three nucleon force (3NF) have been actively studied via the nucleon–deuteron (Nd) scattering states. The differential cross sections and the vector analyzing powers A _y of the ²H(p, n) inclusive breakup reaction at 170 MeV were measured for the study of 3NF effects in the intermediate energy region. The polarized proton beam of 170 MeV was injected to the deuterated polyethylene (CD₂) target and the energy of scattered neutrons were measured by using TOF method. The data were compared with the Faddeev calculations based on modern nucleon–nucleon (NN) forces with and without the 3NF. Concerning the differential cross sections, we can see large discrepancies between the data and the calculations in the region of scattered neutron energies are low, which is similar to the results of the ²H(p, p) inclusive breakup reaction at 250 MeV.     

Untersuchung des Niveauschemas von Nb93 durch Messung der Gammastrahlung nach der inelastischen Streuung schneller Neutronen

Fast neutrons from a nanosecond-pulsedD(d, n)He³ neutron source were scattered from Nb⁹³. The gamma spectrum arising from inelastic scattering was measured in a high resolution Ge(Li)-spectrometer. In order to obtain low background a time gate technique was used. About 44 gamma lines could be found between 150 keV and 2.2 MeV in the single spectrum. In addition gamma-gamma-coincidences were investigated with a NaJ- and a Ge(Li)-detector. By these means it was possible to identify almost all gamma transitions and to receive a nearly complete level scheme of Nb⁹³ up to 2.2 MeV. The experimental cross sections for the population of the levels by the (n, n′)-reaction were compared with the results of the Hauser-Feshbach theory using the optical model transmission coefficients of Lindner and Meldner. From this and from the observed gamma transitions proposals for spin- and parity-assignments of the energy levels are given.     

Experimental determination of the total reaction cross section of the stellar nuclear reaction 16O + 16O

The total reaction cross section for ¹⁶O + ¹⁶O has been measured at six energies between E_c.m. = 6.8 and 11.9 MeV. Cross sections for the production of protons, alphas, neutrons, deuterons, ³¹S, ³⁰P, ¹²C(g.s.) + ²⁰Ne(g.s.) and the relative γ-yield were obtained with a variety of experimental methods. No ³H or ³He were found. All cross sections are normalized to ¹⁶O + ¹⁶O elastic scattering at θ_c.m. = 90°, which was measured separately with high precision between E_c.m. = 7.3 and 14.4 MeV. The elastic scattering and relative γ-yield of ¹²C + ¹²C were measured between E_c.m. = 3.9 and 7.5 MeV. The elastic scattering and neutron yield of ¹²C + ¹⁶O were measured between E_c.m. = 5.4 and 10.1 MeV.     

Small-angle neutron scattering from Pb and 238U between 0.6 and 2.2 MeV

Differential cross sections for neutrons scattered from natural Pb and 99.9 % isotopically pure ²³⁸U have been measured at 0.5°, 1.0°, and 1.5°. A neutron energy continuum was produced by bombarding a thick natural lithium target with a 4 MeV, nanosecond-pulsed proton beam. Neutron energies were determined by time-of-flight techniques. Flight paths from the neutron source to the scatterer and from the scatterer to the detector were each about 5 m. For the 0.5° measurements an annular detector geometry with an angular resolution of ± 0.1° was developed to maximize detection solid angle. Data were averaged over 100 keV intervals from 0.6 to 2.2 MeV and were corrected for backgrounds, multiple scattering and inelastic scattering. Measured cross sections were compared to optical-model calculations which included electromagnetic interactions of neutrons with the nuclear Coulomb field. Inclusion of an induced neutron electric dipole moment interaction was not warranted by the data. The angular dependence of the cross section was fitted with a function $\text{A + B}\text{cot}{}^2\text{case1}\text{2}$θ at each energy. Mean values of B for ²³⁸U are in agreement with theoretical predictions. Values of B for Pb are apparently 15 % too low.     

Continuum shell-model calculation for 14C including core excitations

Elastic and inelastic cross sections for neutron scattering on ¹³C have been calculated up to 10 MeV including excitations of the ¹²C core. The core properties are taken from experiment while the additional neutrons are described in a shell-model basis. Antisymmetrization between the valence particles and the core is taken into account as a second-order perturbation effect. All results including those for the target and the bound states of ¹⁴C are compared to experimental data. The differences between a gaussian and a δ interaction for the valence particles is investigated. The calculation was only feasible with a modified continuum shell model, i.e. approximating the single-particle resonances by bound states. The remaining modified continuum states are damped in amplitude within the resonance region. The residual interaction between modified continuum states is neglected.