G-ray Array for Neutron Induced Inelastic Cross-Section measurements

Neutron inelastic scattering measurements can be employed for the advancement of both fundamental research and applications.

They are essential for the development of new generation nuclear energy systems, in particular for (n, xn) and (n, n’g) reactions which are important as they modify the neutron spectrum and population and produce radioactive species.

In addition to nuclear technology applications neutron inelastic scattering measurements can also advance fundamental research providing information on nuclear reaction mechanisms since they are based on a non-selective method for studying nuclear excited states.Such reactions can be studied through high-resolution gamma-spectroscopy as a function of the incoming neutron energy employing high purity Germanium (HPGe) detectors.

The n_TOF facility hosted at CERN offers a very suitable beam line for such measurements offering a high instantaneous neutron flux in the neutron energy range of interest of 100 keV up to 100 MeV and an excellent neutron energy resolution due to a short driver beam width and a flight path of more than 180 metres.

The n_TOF collaboration developed a prototype HPGe detector suited for this application and has performed test and proof-of-principle measurements already.

The present project aims at developing a complete understanding of the existing detector and developing an optimised array of HPGe detectors for this application based on several potential physics cases.

Such a setup will offer the opportunity for neutron inelastic measurements at n_TOF and has the potential to provide high precision data for the nuclear community.

Furthermore such an array can also be employed in neutron capture cross-section measurements as well as prompt fission gamma ray spectroscopy.