Background in Neutron Detector Array (2011)

Undergraduates: James Walker, none none none

Faculty Advisor: Hugon Karwowski
Department: Physics & Astronomy

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An array of 18 neutron detectors had been assembled to measure the emitted neutrons from photon-induced nuclear reactions_x000D_
on various targets using a linearly polarized gamma-ray beam. Since the detectors are very closely spaced the background_x000D_
arising from neutrons scattering from one detector to another and depositing energy in both detectors will be present. The experimental data for target 181Ta(?,n) at gamma energy E = 13 and 14 MeV were analyzed to find the number of neutrons which scattered in multiple detectors. The background from multiple scattering was on the order of 0.1%. GEANT4 simulations of the experimental set-up were performed and yielded the higher value of ~0.5%.