Production of quasi-mono-energetic neutron beams for reaction cross-section measurements: A simulation study

Abstract

The main objective of the present work is to assess the use of theoretical studies in finding the appropriate working conditions for experiments used in the production of neutron beams. A model has been designed and built using MATLAB programming language to perform the calculations required to generate filtered neutron beams in different energy ranges. The selection of the primary and additive materials has been obtained as a function of the material mass-thickness in g/cm2 to emit high intensity and purity for the desired neutron energies.The development of quasi-mono-energetic neutron beams has been conducted at energies of 5.2, 13.3, 47.0, and 73.0 keV. The generated beams have been evaluated and compared to previous findings on the same energies. Results obtained in the present work enhance the use of these filters in cross-section measurements and BNCT owing to the fact that they have high intensity and purity with reasonable resolution value (ΔE). Moreover, high attenuation of both thermal and fast neutrons except the desired energy value has been observed.