Simulation method for measurement of the cross-section of the 14N(n, α)11B reaction using a gridded ionization chamber

A simulation method for measurement of the cross-section of the 14N(n, α)11B reaction with gas and solid samples using a gridded ionization chamber (GIC) has been established. Using the simulation, the experimental spectra of both 14N(n, α)11B events and background from other reactions can be predicted, and the experimental scheme can be optimized. According to the simulation results, the optimal experimental parameters, including the pressure of the working gas and the compositions of the working gas and the sample, can be determined. In addition, the simulation results can be used to determine the valid event area and calculate the detection efficiency for valid events. A measurement of the cross-sections of the 14N(n, α)11B reaction at En = 4.25, 4.50, 4.75, 5.00, 5.25, and 5.50 MeV, based on the 4.5-MV Van de Graff accelerator at Peking University (PKU) using a GIC as the detector for the outgoing α particles, has been performed. The good agreement of the spectra from the simulation and experiment demonstrated the universality of this simulation method, which can be used to accurately measure neutron-induced light-charged particle emission reactions.