Neutron spectrum at 0° from 83.7 MeV deuterons on beryllium

Abstract

The neutron spectrum measured at 0\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} from 83.7 MeV deuteron bombardment of a thick beryllium target is bell-shaped with a peak at about 34 MeV and a full width at half maximum of about 22 MeV. Measurements down to 4 MeV show no indication of an evaporation peak. While the shape of the spectrum calculated on the basis of the Serber model for deuteron stripping is similar to the observed shape, the width of the calculated spectrum is broader than that observed. The broadening occurs primarily on the low-energy side of the spectrum. The same features are revealed in further calculations of the 0\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} spectrum from 53.8 MeV deuterons on a thick beryllium target.