Neutron Energy Distribution from the Proton Bombardment of Li, Be, and C at 375 Mev

Abstract

High energy neutrons were produced by bombarding lithium, beryllium, and carbon targets with protons having a maximum energy of 375 Mev. The energy spectrum of the neutrons emitted in the forward direction was measured by determining the range spectrum of recoil protons scattered at 45° by a polyethylene scatterer. A telescope of stilbene crystals with copper range-determining absorbers was used as a detector. The neutron beam was monitored by a bismuth fission ionization chamber. For elements studied, the width of the neutron energy distribution broadens and the energy of the peak of the distribution decreases as the atomic number of the target material increases.