Orateur
Description
The emission of light-ion (p, d, t, He3, α) in a neutron-induced reaction can be described by different mechanisms, whose relative contribution evolves with the energy available in the system. While the compound nucleus formation dominates at lower energies, following the thermalization of excited states, a continuous, smooth process progressively emerges when moving towards intermediate energy regimes (around 20 MeV and above). This component, connecting the gap between the low-energy evaporation peak and the high-energy peaks produced by the direct reactions (such as pick-up and knock-out) can be described by the so-called pre-equilibrium process. The models used to predict the emission in this regime are strongly relying on high-quality experimental data, in order to adjust its free parameters.
In order to further investigate the pre-equilibrium emission, we carried out a study of neutron-induced light-ions emission at the Neutrons for Science (NFS) facility in GANIL, covering the (2 to 40) MeV energy range. This work comprises the commissioning of the MEDLEY setup for operation with the white neutron beam produced in the facility. Conceived and built by Uppsala University, this experimental setup is specifically designed to provide large angular coverage and optimal particle-identification capability, allowing for a clean distinction between H and He isotopes throughout the wide energy range of the experiment.
In this contribution we focus on Fe-nat measurements, as it is a structural material for which new data are of importance for different areas. We present light-ion double-differential cross section results, measured from 20° to 160°, as well as the respective angular differential cross sections, derived from the former. Total production cross sections for different neutron energies were also obtained. Our results are compared with TALYS code calculations using different parameter sets, as well as with other available datasets, which remain scarce in the literature. Specific channels were also measured, highlighting the possibility of future exclusive reactions studies at NFS.