Investigation of the Li⁶(p,n)Be⁶ Reaction by the Neutron Threshold Technique

Author: Honsaker, John Leonard

Year: 1965

Degree: Dissertation (Ph.D.)

Advisors: Lauritsen, Thomas; Fowler, William A.

Committee Member: Unknown, Unknown

Option: Physics

DOI: 10.7907/Y05B-ZT77

Abstract

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This thesis describes the measurement of the reaction Lisuperscript 6Be[superscript 6] by slow-neutron methods, with particular attention to the Be[superscript 6] ground-state threshold. The detector response was calculated by a Monte Carlo technique and verified with a measurement of the Lisuperscript 7B[superscript 10] threshold. An analysis of the shape of the Be[superscript 6] threshold indicated that both s- and pwave neutrons contribute significantly to the reaction. The results depend on what mode of decay is assumed for the ground state of Be[superscript 6]. If a two-stage process is assumed, with either an alpha particle and an unbound diproton or Li[superscript 5] and a proton as intermediate state, the width is found to be 95 [...] 28 keV and the Q-value obtained for the Lisuperscript 6Be[superscript 6] reaction is -5074 [...] 13 keV. It was not possible to determine which process is predominant. No further states in Be[superscript 6] with excitation energy less than 4 MeV and width less than 1.5 MeV could be detected. Evidence suggesting other neutron-producing reactions from the proton bombardment of Li[superscript 6] at higher energies is discussed.

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