Method of measuring alpha spectra of the reaction 14N(n,α)11B on fast neutrons using an ionization chamber

Abstract

This paper presents an experimental technique for measuring one-dimensional and two-dimensional alpha-particle spectra from the ¹⁴N(n,α)¹¹B reaction using a gridded twin ionization chamber with fast neutrons. The experimental studies were performed at the EG-5 Van de Graaff accelerator (Frank Laboratory of Neutron Physics, JINR, Dubna) using quasi-monoenergetic neutrons generated via the 2H(d,n)3He reaction. Thin adenine samples were used as targets. Two highly enriched ²³⁸U₃O₈-based detectors placed directly in the chamber's working volume were employed for neutron flux monitoring. The experimental spectra were compared with simulation results obtained using MATLAB, taking into account the actual setup geometry. The obtained results are of interest for nuclear physics and applied research related to fast neutron interactions with nitrogen-containing compounds.