Neutron Yield of the Reaction (α, n) on Thick Targets Comprised of Light Elements

Abstract

Accurate data on the neutron yield from the interaction of α-particles with the nuclei of light elements ranging from lithium to potassium are required for solving the problems of nuclear power technologies: development of analytical means for controlling the technological processes of fabricating and reprocessing nuclear fuel, securing radiological protection for workers, improving the systems for managing and monitoring nuclear materials and radioactive wastes, measuring the burnup fraction of spent nuclear fuel, and others. The uncertainty of this information must be <10% for energies ranging from 4 to 9 MeV of α-particles emitted by naturally occurring and artificial radionuclides. The computational uncertainty of the neutron yield can be reduced on the basis of a combined analysis of (α, n) reactions, measured on α-particle accelerators with tunable energy and on compounds of actinides with light elements, using reliable data on the stopping power of α-particles for elements from hydrogen to californium. The results of such an analysis based on experimental and evaluated data for the light isotopes 6Li, 7Li, 9Be, 10B, 11B, 13C, 14N, 17O, 18O, 21Ne, 22Ne, 19F, 23Na, 25Mg, 26Mg, 27Al, 29Si, 30Si, 31P, 33S, 34S, 35Cl, 37Cl, and 41K in the α-particle energy range from 4 to 9 MeV are presented.