Elsevier

Physics Procedia

Volume 90, 2017, Pages 440-447
Physics Procedia

Research at the University of Kentucky Accelerator Laboratory

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phpro.2017.09.048Get rights and content
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Abstract

The Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Kentucky operates a 7-MV CN Van de Graaff accelerator that produces primary beams of protons, deuterons, and helium ions. An in-terminal pulsing and bunching system operates at 1.875 MHz and is capable of providing 1 ns beam bunches at an average current of several microamperes. Nearly all ongoing research programs involve secondary pulsed neutrons produced with gas cells containing deuterium or tritium, as well as with a variety of solid targets. Most experiments are performed at a target station positioned over a deep pit, so as to reduce the background created by backscattered neutrons. Recent experiments will be described; these include: measurements of n-p scattering total cross sections from En = 90 to 1800 keV to determine the n-p effective range parameter; the response of the plastic scintillator BC-418 below 1 MeV to low-energy recoil protons; n-p radiative capture cross sections important for our understanding of nucleosynthesis approximately 2 minutes after the occurrence of the Big Bang; γ-ray spectroscopy following inelastic neutron scattering to study nuclear structure relevant to double-β decay and to understand the role of phonon-coupled excitations in weakly deformed nuclei; and measurements of neutron elastic and inelastic scattering cross sections for nuclei that are important for energy production and for our global understanding of the interaction of neutrons with matter.

Keywords

Neutron-proton total cross sections
p(n,) radiative capture cross sections
neutron production
neutron detection
γ-ray spectroscopy
neutron elastic scattering cross sections
neutron inelastic scattering cross sections

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Peer-review under responsibility of the Scientific Committee of the Conference on the Application of Accelerators in Research and Industry.