Neutron field determination of d+Be reaction for 15 MeV deuterons using the multi-foil activation technique

Abstract At the Nuclear Physics Institute (NPI) of Czech Academy of Sciences, the d+Be source reaction was investigated for thick beryllium target (thickness of 8 mm) and 15 MeV deuteron beam extracted from the U-120M isochronous cyclotron. For neutron field measurement of the d(15)+Be source reaction in close source-to-sample distance (non-point-like geometry), the multi-foil activation technique was utilized. Sets of nine activation materials (Au, Co, Ti, In, Al, Y, Fe, Ni, Nb) were irradiated by neutrons from the d(15)+Be source, and activated dosimetry foils were analysed by means of the gamma-ray spectrometry method using HPGe detector. From obtained reaction rates, the broad neutron spectra were reconstructed employing the modified version of SAND-II unfolding code. New intensive neutron field of broad spectrum up to 20 MeV and intensity of 3 × 10 10 cm − 2 s − 1 (close to the target) was successfully developed. The study of d(15)+Be source reaction provided new spectral data, and obtained neutron field extends the utilization of cyclotron-based fast neutron generators at the NPI and provides new experimental opportunities for future intensive irradiation experiments such as fast neutron activation analysis and radiation hardness tests of electronics and materials for nuclear energetics and aerospace industry.