Distribution of neutron energy and yield variations with natLi target thickness at proton energies between 8 and 20 MeV

Abstract

The natLi(p,n) system is a prominent source of mono-energetic neutrons capable of delivering neutrons in a large energy band extending from the Coulomb barrier to few hundreds MeV. These mon-energetic neutrons play a pivotal role in various academic and engineering applications. Present work emphasises on the variation of the emission yields and spectral features of natLi(p,n) neutrons at two different Li-foil thicknesses (8 and 16 mg cm−2). The study indicated a proton energy dependent variation in the emission neutron yields. At higher Li target thickness with increase in the neutron yield was observed ∼10 times for 8 MeV whereas, ∼1.5 time increase was observed with 20 MeV incident protons. The spectral shape also indicated softening of neutron spectra with possible merging of high energy emission neutron peaks with lowering of the average energy for 16 mg cm−2 thick Li target.