Radiogenic neutron yield calculations for low-background experiments

S. Westerdale; P. D. Meyers

doi:10.1016/j.nima.2017.09.007

Radiogenic neutron yield calculations for low-background experiments

S. Westerdale, P. D. Meyers

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

39 Scopus citations

Abstract

Nuclear recoil backgrounds are one of the most dangerous backgrounds for many dark matter experiments. A primary source of nuclear recoils is radiogenic neutrons produced in the detector material itself. These neutrons result from fission and (α,n) reactions originating from uranium and thorium contamination. In this paper, we discuss neutron yields from these sources. We compile a list of (α,n) yields for many materials common in low-background detectors, calculated using NeuCBOT (Neutron Calculator Based On TALYS), a new tool introduced in this paper, available at https://github.com/shawest/neucbot. These calculations are compared to computations made using data compilations and SOURCES-4C.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	57-64
Number of pages	8
Journal	Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment
Volume	875
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nima.2017.09.007
State	Published - Dec 11 2017

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

Nuclear and High Energy Physics
Instrumentation

Keywords

(α,n) yields
Dark matter
NeuCBOT
Neutron backgrounds

Access to Document

10.1016/j.nima.2017.09.007

Cite this

@article{672566a98e3246a289de1332a4c81189,

title = "Radiogenic neutron yield calculations for low-background experiments",

abstract = "Nuclear recoil backgrounds are one of the most dangerous backgrounds for many dark matter experiments. A primary source of nuclear recoils is radiogenic neutrons produced in the detector material itself. These neutrons result from fission and (α,n) reactions originating from uranium and thorium contamination. In this paper, we discuss neutron yields from these sources. We compile a list of (α,n) yields for many materials common in low-background detectors, calculated using NeuCBOT (Neutron Calculator Based On TALYS), a new tool introduced in this paper, available at https://github.com/shawest/neucbot. These calculations are compared to computations made using data compilations and SOURCES-4C.",

keywords = "(α,n) yields, Dark matter, NeuCBOT, Neutron backgrounds",

author = "S. Westerdale and Meyers, {P. D.}",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2017 Elsevier B.V.",

year = "2017",

month = dec,

day = "11",

doi = "10.1016/j.nima.2017.09.007",

language = "English (US)",

volume = "875",

pages = "57--64",

journal = "Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment",

issn = "0168-9002",

publisher = "Elsevier B.V.",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Radiogenic neutron yield calculations for low-background experiments

AU - Westerdale, S.

AU - Meyers, P. D.

PY - 2017/12/11

Y1 - 2017/12/11

N2 - Nuclear recoil backgrounds are one of the most dangerous backgrounds for many dark matter experiments. A primary source of nuclear recoils is radiogenic neutrons produced in the detector material itself. These neutrons result from fission and (α,n) reactions originating from uranium and thorium contamination. In this paper, we discuss neutron yields from these sources. We compile a list of (α,n) yields for many materials common in low-background detectors, calculated using NeuCBOT (Neutron Calculator Based On TALYS), a new tool introduced in this paper, available at https://github.com/shawest/neucbot. These calculations are compared to computations made using data compilations and SOURCES-4C.

AB - Nuclear recoil backgrounds are one of the most dangerous backgrounds for many dark matter experiments. A primary source of nuclear recoils is radiogenic neutrons produced in the detector material itself. These neutrons result from fission and (α,n) reactions originating from uranium and thorium contamination. In this paper, we discuss neutron yields from these sources. We compile a list of (α,n) yields for many materials common in low-background detectors, calculated using NeuCBOT (Neutron Calculator Based On TALYS), a new tool introduced in this paper, available at https://github.com/shawest/neucbot. These calculations are compared to computations made using data compilations and SOURCES-4C.

KW - (α,n) yields

KW - Dark matter

KW - NeuCBOT

KW - Neutron backgrounds

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85029484059&partnerID=8YFLogxK

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85029484059&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1016/j.nima.2017.09.007

DO - 10.1016/j.nima.2017.09.007

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:85029484059

SN - 0168-9002

VL - 875

SP - 57

EP - 64

JO - Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

JF - Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

ER -

Radiogenic neutron yield calculations for low-background experiments

Abstract

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

Keywords

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Cite this