The nuclear reactor as a high intensity source for discrete gamma rays up to 11 MeV

Abstract

Abstract The use of a nuclear reactor as a potential high-intensity source of discrete gamma rays for energies up to 11 MeV is discussed in the light of investigations undertaken. The advantages and disadvantages inherent in such sources are compared with those associated with other gamma sources for this energy region, such as, in particular, proton capture reactions. The following features indicate interesting possibilities in employment of sources: (a) a large variety of discrete gamma rays of various energies exists (there are about 10 lines between 3 and 11 MeV); (b) background is low (for background quanta above 4 MeV, the line to background intensity ratio ranges up to about 10); (c) collimation is good (the beam can be collimated along a 4 m path) and (d) intensity is very high (about a 1000-fold that of (p, γ)-sources in practice). The absolute intensity can with ease be calibrated to within 10%. Experimental details are given, e.g. of collimation, target container and target material, and an arrangement is proposed whereby an appreciable increase of line to background intensity can be attained.