Low-threshold neutron detection for proton-transfer reactions with VANDLE
Abstract
Proton-transfer studies with radioactive beams are a useful tool for constraining astrophysical proton-capture rates and probing the single-particle structure of exotic nuclei. Measurements from (d,n) reactions on radioactive beams require an efficient large- area neutron detector array. The Versatile Array of Neutron Detectors at Low Energy (VANDLE) is being developed at ORNL for both (d,n) and beta-delayed neutron spectroscopy measurements. Digital electronics and optimized materials make VANDLE sensitive to neutron-proton scattering for neutrons above 100 keV, and also to elastically scattered carbon from neutrons above 1 MeV. This carbon sensitivity supplements the detection efficiency at those energies. Measured efficiencies from an 27Al(d,n) study at Ohio University and from a 252Cf source will be presented, along with plans and simulated responses for (d,n) measurements of astrophysicaly important proton-capture reactions.
Supported in part by the U.S. DOE and NSF.- Publication:
-
APS Division of Nuclear Physics Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- October 2011
- Bibcode:
- 2011APS..DNP.FB004P