Measurement of the neutron spectrum from the reaction of 30-MeV deuterons on a thick beryllium target

Technical Report · Mon Feb 16 04:00:00 EST 1976

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/7347256· OSTI ID:7347256

Nethaway, D R; Van Konynenburg, R A; Adams, T M

Measurements were made of the neutron spectrum produced by bombarding a thick beryllium target with 30-MeV deuterons at the University of California, Davis cyclotron. This spectrum is of interest in studying the effect of neutrons on materials to be used in future fusion reactors. The spectrum was inferred from the activation of two sets of detector foils placed at 0/sup 0/ to the deuteron beam, one immediately behind the beryllium target block, and one 40 mm to the rear. A least-squares program was used to analyze the foil activation data to obtain the fluence in each of seven energy groups. The neutron spectrum (fluence/MeV) close to the target decreases continuously with energy in the range 5-32 MeV, while the spectrum 40 mm back has a peak at about 13 MeV. The contribution from neutrons of energies less than 10 MeV is much greater than that found in previous spectral measurements made at large distances from the target. This difference is attributed to the neutrons which are emitted at large angles from the deuteron beam. These observations show the importance of evaluating the neutron spectrum near the target if samples of materials are to be irradiated in this location. (auth)

• Research Organization: California Univ., Livermore (USA). Lawrence Livermore Lab.
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 7347256
• Report Number(s): UCRL-52024
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

651315* -- Nuclear Properties & Reactions
A=6-19
Theoretical-- Nuclear Reactions & Scattering-- (-1987)
73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS
ACTIVATION DETECTORS
BERYLLIUM 9 TARGET
CHARGED-PARTICLE REACTIONS
DEUTERON REACTIONS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
NEUTRON DETECTORS
NEUTRON SPECTRA
NUCLEAR REACTIONS
RADIATION DETECTORS
SPECTRA
TARGETS