sciencedirect: Commissioning of the neutron irradiation station at the University of Notre Dame

 

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

Volume 1075, June 2025, 170406

Full length article

Commissioning of the neutron irradiation station at the University of Notre Dame

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Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556-5670, USA

Received 15 July 2024, Revised 3 March 2025, Accepted 4 March 2025, Available online 15 March 2025, Version of Record 18 March 2025.

Abstract

Cross section data for neutron-induced reactions are needed for applications in nuclear astrophysics, stockpile stewardship, and nuclear reactor design but often contain discrepancies and gaps. A neutron source with a high neutron flux, a well-characterized neutron energy distribution, and a wide range of available neutron energies is ideal for studying such reactions in order to improve on existing data and provide new experimental results. For this purpose, the Neutron Irradiation Station (NIS) was developed using the

Li(p,n)Be reaction. Neutron energy profiles were obtained using He spectrometers and neutron standards were used to determine the neutron flux using the activation method. The neutron energy profile was found to be quasi-monoenergetic and neutrons were produced at energies from 1 keV to 1 MeV. The flux at the production target was found to be (1.42+_ 0.20)*10^-8 s⁻¹cm⁻².

 

 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nima.2025.170406