Measurement of the Energies of the Neutrons from Lithium Bombarded with Deuterons

Author: Stephens, William Edwards

Year: 1938

Degree: Dissertation (Ph.D.)

Advisor: Lauritsen, Charles Christian

Committee Member: Unknown, Unknown

Option: Physics

DOI: 10.7907/mk8t-0461

Abstract

The energy distribution of the neutrons resulting from the disintegration of lithium by 0.8 MV deuterons has been investigated by the observation of recoils in a high pressure cloud chamber. Both hydrogen and helium recoils have been observed at different pressures in the cloud chamber so as to cover the whole spectrum. It has been found that the reactions

Li⁷ + D² → Be⁸ + n

Be⁸ → He⁴ + He⁴

Li⁷ + D² → He⁵ + He⁴

He⁵ → He⁴ + n

account for most of the neutrons. The levels found in Be⁸ and the ground state in He⁵ have energies which agree with the values from other experiments. The low energy part of the spectrum may include neutrons from Li⁶.

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