Determination of the neutron yield of Be, V and Ta targets irradiated with protons (22-42 MeV) by means of prompt gamma neutron activation analysis

Abstract The neutron yield for beryllium, vanadium and tantalum irradiated with 22, 27, 33 and 42 MeV protons is indirectly determined by Prompt Gamma Neutron Activation Analysis (PGNAA). The neutron-to-gamma conversion rate is measured with an AmBe calibration neutron source. Corrections by escaped neutrons are applied via MCNP simulations of the experiment using the ENDF/B-VII.1 database. The experimental results are in good agreement with the neutron yield obtained from simulations deviating by 0.4 % to 13 %.