Fast neutron yields and spectra from targets of varying atomic number bombarded with deuterons from 16 to 50 MeV (for radiobiology and radiotherapy)

Abstract

Neutron production from targets of Be, C, Mo, Cu, Ta and Au bombarded with deuterons of 16, 33 and 50 MeV has been studied at the isochronous cyclotron at Louvain-la-Neuve. Neutron spectra were measured by the time of flight method. The yields of neutrons and gamma rays were also measured, and the greatest ratio of neutrons to gamma rays in the forward direction was found to occur with 50 MeV deuterons on a Be target. The angular distribution of neutrons from Be was measured at 16, 33 and 50 MeV, and neutron spectra were measured as function of angle with 50 MeV deuterons on Be.

Neutron beams from deuteron breakup at the 88-Inch cyclotron at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

“…The thick target distributions using Be targets at E d = 20 MeV agree with data taken at other facilities [9,27] and will not be presented here.…”

“…The cross section for neutrons produced by deuteron breakup increases rapidly above the threshold value of approximately 9 MeV [8]. Typically, as an accelerator-based neutron source, thick, light targets, e.g., Li or Be, have been utilized [9,10]; few measurements of neutron energy spectra produced by deuteron breakup on thin targets are available.…”

Measurement of double differential neutron yields from thick carbon target irradiated by 5-MeV and 9-MeV deuterons

“…Energy-integrated thick target neutron yields at 0° are shown in Figure 8 along with other experimental data [1,[7][8][9][10]. In the energy integration, the experimental yields below 1 MeV corresponding to the lowest measured energy were supplemented by linear extrapolation with the data at 1 MeV.…”

Tests of electronic devices and semi-conductor detectors under high neutron flux

“…A flow of cold and dry air is permanently maintained inside the box: the relative humidity is automatically maintained at about 1% while the temperature is stabilized to about -20°C within about 0.5 °C. The description of this system is given elsewhere [3] [2].…”