¹⁶O(n,α) cross section investigation using LENZ instrument at LANSCE

¹ P-27, Physics Division, Los Alamos National Lab, Los Alamos, New Mexico, U.S.A.
² XCP-5; X-Computational Physics Division, Los Alamos National Lab, Los Alamos New Mexico, U.S.A.

^a e-mail: hylee@lanl.gov

Published online: 21 June 2016

Abstract

Importance of studying the ¹⁶O(n,α) reaction is motivated by multiple nuclear applications. The Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE) produces a white neutron spectrum ranging from thermal to several hundreds of MeV energies. We have recently developed the LENZ (Low Energy NZ-neutron induced charged particle detection) capability to measure high-precision (n,α) cross sections. In order to provide more reliable data, we have enhanced solid angle coverage, and improved signal-to-noise ratios and time-of-flight resolution by implementing digitizer waveform analysis. The LENZ was commissioned by studying the ⁵⁹Co(n,α) reaction with neutron beams in early 2015. For the ¹⁶O(n,α) reaction, we investigate solid oxygen targets and make a relative measurement to a better known cross section, such as the ⁶Li(n,α) reaction in order to further reduce systematic uncertainty. We will discuss the progress of the ¹⁶O(n,α) study at LANSCE and the outlook for improving Hauser-Feshbah prediction on (n,p) reaction cross sections.