Relative High Energy Neutron Yields from Targets Bombarded with Protons and Deuterons

Abstract

Abstract : Relative neutron yields in the forward direction from various target elements bombarded with 350 Mev protons and 190 Mev deuterons have been measured. Bismuth fission chambers with a threshold of about 50 Mev were used to detect the high energy neutrons. The actual flux of protons or deuterons traversing each target was determined from the activities induced in graphite monitors attached to the target. When a deuteron beam is used, the neutron yields for light elements agree with the values predicted by the deuteron stripping theory. For the heavy elements the observed values are fitted best by adding a function proportional to Z-sq to the stripping theory values. This may be interpreted as evidence for the production of high energy neutrons by the electric field disintegration of the deuteron. The neutron yields from the proton beam vary approximately as (A - Z)(exp(2/3)) for target elements from C to U. This indicates that the heavy elements are not completely transparent to 350 Mev protons. Beryllium has an anomalous neutron yield 50% higher than that for C. Calculations and measurements on the problem of multiple traversals of beam particles through thin targets are presented.