Research at the University of Kentucky Accelerator Laboratory

Journal Article · Thu Oct 26 00:00:00 EDT 2017 · Physics Procedia

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phpro.2017.09.048· OSTI ID:1415233

Hicks, S. F. ^[1]; Kovash, M. A. ^[2]

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1. Univ. of Dallas, Irving, TX (United States). Dept. of Physics
2. Univ. of Kentucky, Lexington, KY (United States). Dept. of Physics and Astronomy

The Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Kentucky operates a 7-MV CN Van de Graaff accelerator that produces primary beams of protons, deuterons, and helium ions. An in-terminal pulsing and bunching system operates at 1.875 MHz and is capable of providing 1 ns beam bunches at an average current of several microamperes. Nearly all ongoing research programs involve secondary pulsed neutrons produced with gas cells containing deuterium or tritium, as well as with a variety of solid targets. Most experiments are performed at a target station positioned over a deep pit, so as to reduce the background created by backscattered neutrons. Here, recent experiments will be described; these include: measurements of n-p scattering total cross sections from E_n = 90 to 1800 keV to determine the n-p effective range parameter; the response of the plastic scintillator BC-418 below 1 MeV to low-energy recoil protons; n-p radiative capture cross sections important for our understanding of nucleosynthesis approximately 2 minutes after the occurrence of the Big Bang; γ-ray spectroscopy following inelastic neutron scattering to study nuclear structure relevant to double-β decay and to understand the role of phonon-coupled excitations in weakly deformed nuclei; and measurements of neutron elastic and inelastic scattering cross sections for nuclei that are important for energy production and for our global understanding of the interaction of neutrons with matter.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Kentucky, Lexington, KY (United States). Research Foundation
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA); National Science Foundation (NSF)
• Grant/Contract Number: NA0002931; NA0003348; PHY-1606890
• OSTI ID: 1415233
• Journal Information: Physics Procedia, Vol. 90, Issue C; Conference: CAARI2016 Conference on Applications of Accelerators to Research and Industry, Ft Worth, TX (United States), 30 Oct-04 Nov 2016; ISSN 1875-3892
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS
Neutron-proton total cross sections
p(n
dγ) radiative capture cross sections
neutron production
neutron detection
γ-ray spectroscopy
neutron elastic scattering cross sections
neutron inelastic scattering cross sections