A possible Mössbauer effect in neutron capture

Direct radiative neutron capture onto a nucleus embedded in a lattice leads to recoil effects that are somewhat more complicated in principle than those present for conventional Mössbauer absorption, emission or resonant scattering processes. We have explored the theory for such recoil effects, and have found: (1) that under conditions in which the momentum of the incident neutron and emitted gamma are matched approximately, a Mössbauer pip that is broadened and shifted is predicted to occur; (2) that in the presence of highly nonthermal lattice excitation, possible anomalously large energy transfer with the lattice is predicted.     

Resonance neutron capture in silicon

Gamma ray spectra from neutron capture by natural silicon have been measured for resonances at 31.7, 38.8, 55.9 and 67.7 keV. Absolute partial radiative widths have been obtained with the 35 keV s-wave resonance in aluminium as a reference standard. Strong single particle effects were observed in the final state correlation. These cannot be accounted for by the valence model of neutron capture. A different single particle mechanism must therefore occur at these energies.     

Correlations between reduced neutron and radiative widths in neutron resonances

A mechanism underlying the correlation between the reduced neutron and radiative widths for the chromium and nickel isotopes has been derived. This theory combines a channel together with a compound nucleus component. The bound-state single-particle reduced widths for ⁵⁷Fe, ⁵³Cr and ⁶¹Ni were obtained by fitting the cross-section and partial radiative width data from the (γ, n) experiments using R-matrix neutron scattering phase shifts. The thermal (n, γ) cross sections for ⁵⁶Fe, ⁵²Cr and ⁶⁰Ni as well as the total radiative widths for resonances of several of these isotopes were obtained. The correlations between the neutron and total radiative widths are attributed to transitions to a few strong low-lying bound p-states which have large reduced widths.     

Double neutron capture in62Ni

The -radiation following single and double neutron capture in isotopically enriched⁶²Ni was studied at the high flux reactor of the Institut Laue-Langevin, using a pair and Compton suppressed germanium detector. Measurements before and after 170 d of breeding were performed. The -ray fluxes through⁶³Ni and⁶⁴Ni are discussed; several new levels and spin-parity assignments were found. On the basis of the known discrete levels and the low-energy neutron resonances, level density parameters were determined within the Constant Temperature Fermi Gas model. The neutron binding energies were measured asB _n (⁶³Ni)=6837.92(18) keV andB _n (⁶⁴Ni)=9657.64(24) keV. The⁶³Ni (n, ) cross section for reactor neutrons was measured to be =20 _–2 ⁺⁵ b.Supported by Deutsches BMFT under contract 06 GÖ 141     

Thermal neutron capture in50V

The gamma-ray spectrum from thermal neutron capture in⁵⁰V, enriched to 36% isotopic composition in a 2.6-mg target of V₂O₅, was observed by means of a highsensitivity pair-spectrometer. A level scheme is discussed, the nuclear temperature parameter deduced, and maximum-likelihood values for energy levels and neutron separation energy obtained.     

Resonant neutron capture in 40Ca

The neutron capture cross section of ⁴⁰Ca has been measured with ≈ 0.2 % energy resolution below E_n = 300 keV. Resonance parameters have been extracted for many new p- and d-wave resonances. Gamma-ray spectra were also measured following capture in one doublet and two resolved resonances below 50 keV. Strong feeding of low-lying p-wave levels was observed in all cases. Calculations showed that valence transitions were inadequate to account for the observed dominance of these transitions and a further mechanism is required. The average resonance parameters obtained from the data are as follows: 〈D〉 = 37 + 4keV, 10⁴S₁ = 0.16 ± 0.05, 10⁴S₂ = 2.0 ± 0.7. The average radiative widths and standard deviations of their distributions were found to be strongly l-dependent as follows: 〈Γ_γ〉_s = 1.5 ± 0.9 eV, 〈Γ_γ〉_p = 0.36 ± 0.09 eV and 〈Γ_γ〉_d = 0.7 ± 0.4 eV.     

Resonance neutron capture in 56Fe

The neutron capture cross section of ⁵⁶Fe has been measured with 0.2–0.3% energy resolution from 2.5 keV up to the inelastic neutron scattering threshold. Results are compared with recent total cross-section data and average parameters are derived for s-, p- and d-wave resonances. The low correlation coefficient observed between the s-wave reduced neutron and radiative widths is consistent with the minor contribution of the valence capture mechanism as calculated in the framework of the optical model. Broad E1 and M1 doorway states for s-, p- and d-wave resonances are postulated to explain the cross-section data and γ-ray spectra up to 1 MeV.     

Fast neutron radiative capture in silicon

Using the²⁸Si(n, γ)²⁹Si reaction, transitions to the ground state and first excited state in²⁹Si have been studied in the neutron energy range 3–14 MeV with improved neutron energy resolution (of about 100 keV). The 90° cross sections show considerable structure in the entire neutron energy range. Comparison with theoretical calculations shows that compound-nucleus and direct-semidirect processes account for the non-resonant part (smoothly varying part) of the cross section. A microscopic model is, however, required to describe the resonance structure. Continuum shell-model calculations have proven to be a very promising means towards a better understanding of the capture process in, and below, the giant resonance region in light nuclei. The angular distributions of gamma rays in the neutron energy range 8–14 MeV indicate that the capture reaction is mainly of direct character and that the effect of interference between the electric dipole and isoscalar quadrupole resonance is weak.     

Search for axions in thermal neutron capture by protons

A search for axions at a 500 MW light water power reactor was performed. From the measured upper limit on the n + p → d + a cross section the “standard” axion is ruled out.     

Giant M1 resonance in the direct-semidirect model for nucleon radiative capture

The direct-semidirect model for nucleon radiative capture proceeding via giant E1 and E2 resonance states is extended to account for capture through collective M1 excitation. The ²⁰⁸Pb(N, γ₀) and ¹⁴⁰Ce(N, γ₀) reactions are investigated in the 2–10 MeV energy interval. For the M1 and isoscalar E2 neutron capture processes, calculations provide cross section values of the same order of magnitude, as well as comparable effects on γ-ray angular distributions. The model proves to be an appropriate framework for discussing the E1-M1 and E1-E2 interference processes, giving useful suggestions as to effects arising from the presence of the M1 and E2 collectivities.     

Evidence for neutron capture through doorway states in29Si

Theγ-ray spectra following neutron capture in silicon have teen recorded in the neutron energy range 2.7–6.2 MeV and partial cross sections forγ-rays to the 2s_1/2 ground state and 1d_3/2 first excited states in²⁹Si determined. The results indicate considerable fluctuations with neutron energy with a prominent resonance peak at 4.6 MeV in the (n,γ _o) cross section. The existence of fluctuations is predicted in a recent theoretical calculation based on a model designed to include single-particle resonances in nuclear reaction processes.     

Fast neutron capture reactions in nuclear astrophysics

The cross sections of the neutron capture reaction on light nuclei, protons,¹²C and¹⁶O, were measured at astrophysically relevant energies between 10 and 300 keV. They are not only important for estimating yields of elements in the primordial nucleosynthesis, stellar nucleosynthesis of s-, r-, and p-processes, but also to study the role of meson exchange currents, the nuclear structure and the reaction mechanism. In the measurement, we used a prompt γ-ray detection method, combined with a pulsed neutron beam, and a recently developed Monte-Carlo code, TIME-MULTI, to correct for neutron multiple-scattering effects in a sample.     

Thermal neutron capture in isotopes of nickel

The gamma-ray spectra associated with thermal neutron capture in targets of⁵⁸Ni,⁶⁰Ni,⁶²Ni, and⁶⁴Ni have been observed with a high-sensitivity pair-spectrometer. Level schemes for the four product nuclei are discussed, correlation of widths with neutron single-particle states examined, and estimates forM1 andE2γ-ray strength functions obtained.     

Dosimetry and spectrometry at accelerator based neutron source for boron neutron capture therapy

An innovative accelerator-based neutron source for boron neutron capture therapy has started operation at the Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics, Novosibirsk. This facility is based on a compact vacuum insulation tandem accelerator designed to produce proton current up to 10 mA. Epithermal neutrons are proposed to be generated by 1.915 MeV protons bombarding a lithium target using ⁷Li(p,n)⁷Be threshold reaction.In the article, techniques to detect neutron and gamma-rays at the facility are described. Gamma radiation is measured with NaI and BGO gamma-spectrometers. The total yield of neutrons is determined by measuring the 477 keV γ-quanta from beryllium decay. For the rough analysis of the generated neutron spectrum we used bubble detectors. As the epithermal neutrons are of interest for neutron capture therapy the NaI detector is used as activation detector. We plan to use a time-of-flight technique for neutron spectra measurement. To realize this technique a new solution of short time neutron generation is proposed.     

Measurement of cross sections for 14 MeV neutron capture

Activation cross sections for neutron capture have been measured at an energy of 14.6 ± 0.2 MeV relative to $\text{σ(}{}^{27}\text{Al}\text{(}\text{n}\text{,α)}{}^{24}\text{Na}\text{) = 114.2}\text{mb}\text{± 1.2\%}$ for the nuclei ³⁷Cl, ¹⁴K, ⁵⁰Ti, ⁵¹V, ⁵⁵Mn, ⁷¹Ga, ⁸⁷Rb, ⁸⁹Y, ¹²⁷I, ¹³⁰Te, ¹³⁸Ba, ¹³⁹La, ¹⁴²Ce, ¹⁸⁶W, ¹⁹⁸Pt,¹⁹⁷Au. Gamma-ray spectra of the product nuclei were measured with a Ge(Li) detector. Special attention was paid to taking into account all possible sources of error, especially contributions of lower energy neutrons. It seems to be shown that consistent results can be obtained for the cross sections for 14 MeV neutron capture if one properly takes into account the influence of lower energy neutrons even in cases where the relevant correction is large. In particular results from activation measurements agree well with results obtained by the method of integrated γ-spectra.     

Correlations of secondaries in events with a forward neutron at the ISR

Data, obtained from p-p collisions at centre-of-mass energies between 31 and 63 GeV, are presented on inclusive and semi-inclusive correlations between forward emitted neutrons and charged particles observed in an omnidirectional hodoscope. A total absorption spectrometer was used to detect the neutrons and to measure their energy. Significant correlations are observed over the whole rapidity range. The data suggest that neutrons result from the decay of clusters emitted in the fragmentation region.     

Resonance neutron capture gamma rays in 177Hf

Primary capture γ-rays have been studied for 38 ¹⁷⁷Hf neutron resonances with energies in the range 1–165 eV. Intensities were measured for 29 transitions ending at states with an excitation energy in ¹⁷⁸Hf up to 2050 keV. The analysis was facilitated by the previous knowledge of the spin and parity of all neutron resonances and of most low-lying states. For nine final levels, which had not previously been seen, information on J and π was deduced from the corresponding average intensities. The distribution of partial widths was fitted with a χ² function with ν = 1.38_?0.13^+0.18 degrees of freedom for E1 radiation and ν = 1.5_?0.40^+0.60 for M1 radiation. The average El reduced photon strength was found to be $\text{S}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>El</mtext>}}\text{= 〈Γ}{}_{\mathrm{\gamma itij}}\text{/DE}{}_{\mathrm{\gamma }}{}^5\text{〉A}{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>?8</mtext><mtext>3</mtext>}}\text{= (4.8 ± 1.0) × 10}{}^{\mathrm{?15}}\text{MeV}{}^{\mathrm{?5}}$ and the ratio between El and Ml intensities equal to 5.5 ± 1.4. A comparison of this value for the El strength with those reported for other nuclei with A$\text{\$}\text{?}$= 100 showed that the intensities follow the A-dependence predicted by the Brink-Axel model. A non-statistical effect was observed, consisting of an enhancement of El transition probalilities to K = 2, 3 final states as compared to K = 0, 4 states.