Differential Neutron Production Cross Sections for 597-MeV Protons

Abstract

Differential (p,xn) cross sections were measured at emission angles of 30, 60, 120, and 150 deg for the 597-MeV proton bombardment of thin targets of elemental beryllium, boron, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, aluminum, iron, lead, and depleted uranium. Time-of-flight techniques were used to determine the neutron energy spectrum and to identify and discriminate against backgrounds. Comparisons of the experimental data with intranuclear-cascade evaporation model calculations using the HETC code show good agreement for lead and uranium, but there are discrepancies for the light elements, predominantly at forward angles. Comparison with a,previous experiment shows good agreement only for heavy nuclei in the evaporation region at neutron energies below 20 MeV.