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Updated: Apr 8, 2026
10:42
Preparing an Isotopically Pure 229Th Ion Beam for Studies of 229mTh
Published on: May 3, 2019
7.5K
(19)F(α,n) thick target yield from 3.5 to 10.0 MeV
E B Norman1, T E Chupp1, K T Lesko1
1University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
Summary
This study measured neutron yields from fluorine-19 reactions with alpha particles using lead fluoride targets. The findings provide insights into neutron production for fluorine gas and uranium hexafluoride targets.
Area of Science:
- Nuclear physics
- Materials science
Background:
- Neutron production is crucial for various applications.
- Understanding fluorine-based targets is important for nuclear reactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To measure the thick-target neutron yield of the fluorine-19 (alpha, n) reaction.
- To infer neutron yields for fluorine gas and uranium hexafluoride targets.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a lead fluoride (PbF2) target.
- Measured thick-target yields for alpha-particle energies ranging from 3.5 to 10 MeV.
- Extrapolated data to fluorine (F2) and uranium hexafluoride (UF6) targets.
Main Results:
- Quantified the thick-target neutron yield for the (19)F(α,n) reaction.
- Provided estimated neutron yields for F2 and UF6 targets within the studied energy range.
Conclusions:
- The study establishes a method for determining neutron yields from fluorine-containing materials.
- Results are applicable to scenarios requiring neutron generation using alpha particle interactions.
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