Mainz 2022 – scientific programme

Parts | Days | Selection | Search | Updates | Downloads | Help

HK: Fachverband Physik der Hadronen und Kerne

HK 67: Instrumentation XVII

HK 67.5: Talk

Thursday, March 31, 2022, 17:15–17:30, HK-H3

Determination of a high neutron flux using a DT generator — Marie Pichotta, •Hans Hoffmann, and Kai Zuber — TU Dresden IKTP, Dresden, Deutschland

Reproducing r-process reactions on earth is challenging because a very high neutron flux is needed. A promising way is DT implosion at the NIF (National Ignition Facility). There the cross section of reaction ⁴⁰Ar(2n,γ)⁴²Ar is going to be measured. The reaction ⁴⁰Ar(n,2n)³⁹Ar will monitor the neutron field. A measurement of the total cross section is needed because theoretical models for this cross section differ.

An argon gas sample enriched in ⁴⁰Ar was fed into a 20 mm diameter Al sphere at 20 bar. The argon-filled sphere was irradiated with a high neutron flux using the TU Dresden DT neutron generator. It is located at HZDR (Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf) and produces a 14 MeV neutron field with densities up to 10¹² n/(s cm²). The Ar-filled sphere was positioned in close geometry in order to gain a high neutron flux. 2 metal foils consisting of Al, Zr and Nb respectively, served as neutron monitors. After the irradiation, the monitors’ activity was measured using a germanium detector surrounded by a lead shielding. It was calibrated using point sources of known activity and Monte-Carlo simulations. The irradiation procedure and neutron flux analysis will be presented.