48 research outputs found
Fast-neutron induced background in LaBr3:Ce detectors
The response of a scintillation detector with a cylindrical 1.5-inch LaBr3:Ce
crystal to incident neutrons has been measured in the energy range En = 2-12
MeV. Neutrons were produced by proton irradiation of a Li target at Ep = 5-14.6
MeV with pulsed proton beams. Using the time-of-flight information between
target and detector, energy spectra of the LaBr3:Ce detector resulting from
fast neutron interactions have been obtained at 4 different neutron energies.
Neutron-induced gamma rays emitted by the LaBr3:Ce crystal were also measured
in a nearby Ge detector at the lowest proton beam energy. In addition, we
obtained data for neutron irradiation of a large-volume high-purity Ge detector
and of a NE-213 liquid scintillator detector, both serving as monitor detectors
in the experiment. Monte-Carlo type simulations for neutron interactions in the
liquid scintillator, the Ge and LaBr3:Ce crystals have been performed and
compared with measured data. Good agreement being obtained with the data, we
present the results of simulations to predict the response of LaBr3:Ce
detectors for a range of crystal sizes to neutron irradiation in the energy
range En = 0.5-10 MeVComment: 28 pages, 10 figures, 4 Table
Gamma ray production cross sections in proton induced reactions on natural Mg, Si and Fe targets over the proton energy range 30 up to 66 MeV
Gamma-ray excitation functions have been measured for 30, 42, 54 and 66 MeV
proton beams accelerated onto C + O (Mylar), Mg, Si, and Fe targets of
astrophysical interest at the separate-sector cyclotron of iThemba LABS in
Somerset West (Cape Town, South Africa). A large solid angle, high energy
resolution detection system of the Eurogam type was used to record Gamma-ray
energy spectra. Derived preliminary results of Gamma-ray line production cross
sections for the Mg, Si and Fe target nuclei are reported and discussed. The
current cross section data for known, intense Gamma-ray lines from these nuclei
consistently extend to higher proton energies previous experimental data
measured up to Ep ~ 25 MeV at the Orsay and Washington tandem accelerators.
Data for new Gamma-ray lines observed for the first time in this work are also
reported.Comment: 11 pages, 6 figures. IOP Institute of Physics Conference Nuclear
Physics in Astrophysics VII, 28th EPF Nuclear Physics Divisional Conference,
May 18-22 2015, York, U
A new experiment for the determination of the 18F(p,alpha) reaction rate at nova temperatures
The 18F(p,alpha) reaction was recognized as one of the most important for
gamma ray astronomy in novae as it governs the early 511 keV emission. However,
its rate remains largely uncertain at nova temperatures. A direct measurement
of the cross section over the full range of nova energies is impossible because
of its vanishing value at low energy and of the short 18F lifetime. Therefore,
in order to better constrain this reaction rate, we have performed an indirect
experiment taking advantage of the availability of a high purity and intense
radioactive 18F beam at the Louvain La Neuve RIB facility. We present here the
first results of the data analysis and discuss the consequences.Comment: Contribution to the Classical Novae Explosions conference, Sitges,
Spain, 20-24 May 2002, 5 pages, 3 figure
Hydrogen Burning of 17-O in Classical Novae
We report on the observation of a previously unknown resonance at
E=194.1+/-0.6 keV (lab) in the 17-O(p,alpha)14-N reaction, with a measured
resonance strength omega_gamma(p,alpha)=1.6+/-0.2 meV. We studied in the same
experiment the 17-O(p,gamma)18-F reaction by an activation method and the
resonance-strength ratio was found to be
omega_gamma(p,alpha)/omega_gamma(p,gamma)=470+/-50. The corresponding
excitation energy in the 18-F compound nucleus was determined to be
5789.8+/-0.3 keV by gamma-ray measurements using the 14-N(alpha,gamma)18-F
reaction. These new resonance properties have important consequences for 17-O
nucleosynthesis and gamma-ray astronomy of classical novae.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures. Accepted for publication in Physical Review
Letter
Low energy measurement of the 7Be(p,gamma)8B cross section
We have measured the cross section of the 7Be(p,gamma)8B reaction for E_cm =
185.8 keV, 134.7 keV and 111.7 keV using a radioactive 7Be target (132 mCi).
Single and coincidence spectra of beta^+ and alpha particles from 8B and 8Be^*
decay, respectively, were measured using a large acceptance spectrometer. The
zero energy S factor inferred from these data is 18.5 +/- 2.4 eV b and a
weighted mean value of 18.8 +/- 1.7 eV b (theoretical uncertainty included) is
deduced when combining this value with our previous results at higher energies.Comment: Accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. Let
Indirect study of 19Ne states near the 18F+p threshold
The early E < 511 keV gamma-ray emission from novae depends critically on the
18F(p,a)15O reaction. Unfortunately the reaction rate of the 18F(p,a)15O
reaction is still largely uncertain due to the unknown strengths of low-lying
proton resonances near the 18F+p threshold which play an important role in the
nova temperature regime. We report here our last results concerning the study
of the d(18F,p)19F(alpha)15N transfer reaction. We show in particular that
these two low-lying resonances cannot be neglected. These results are then used
to perform a careful study of the remaining uncertainties associated to the
18F(p,a)15O and 18F(p,g)19Ne reaction rates.Comment: 18 pages, 8 figures. Accepted in Nuclear Physics
D(18F,pa)15N reaction applied to nova gamma-ray emission
The 18F(p,alpha)15O reaction is recognized to be one of the most important
reactions for nova gamma-ray astronomy as it governs the early E <= 511keV
gamma emission. However in the nova temperature regime, its rate remains
largely uncertain due to unknown low-energy resonance strengths. We report here
the measurement of the D(18F,p)19F(alpha)15N one-nucleon transfer reaction,
induced by a 14 MeV 18F radioactive beam impinging on a CD2 target; outgoing
protons and 15N (or alpha-particles) were detected in coincidence in two
silicon strip detectors. A DWBA analysis of the data resulted in new limits to
the contribution of low-energy resonances to the rate of the 18F(p,alpha)15O
reaction.Comment: Rapid Communication to appear in Phys. Rev. C., 4 pages and 4 figure