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Development of a Neutron Long Counter for (alpha,n) Cross Section Measurements at Ohio University

Brandenburg, Kristyn H.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1512730722722763

Abstract Details

2017, Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, Physics and Astronomy (Arts and Sciences).
The astrophysical site of the nucleosynthesis of the elements from roughly zinc to tin is still unknown. The alpha-process within the neutron-rich neutrino driven winds of core collapse supernovae (CCSN) is a proposed mechanism for the creation of these elements. However, a significant source of uncertainty exists in elemental abundance yields from astrophysics model calculations due to the uncertainty for (alpha,n) reaction rates, as most of the relevant cross sections have yet to be measured. A neutron long counter, BB, is developed and tailored to measure neutrons for (alpha,n) cross section measurements to be performed at the Ohio University Edwards Accelerator Laboratory. The detector design was optimized using the Monte-Carlo N-Particle transport code (MCNP6). BB consists of refurbished proportional counters from the FIGARO long counter. A neutron detection efficiency calibration using a 252Cf source was performed with FIGARO, and the results were compared with MCNP6 simulations of the experiment. Agreement between experiment and simulation confirms the feasibility of using the refurbished proportional counters in the new detector. Analysis of the optimized detector design was performed and compared with existing experimental data and theoretical predictions of the (alpha,n) reaction measurements of interest. BB's near-constant efficiency for neutrons will enable accurate measurements of cross sections in the low energy regime of the Gamow window for (alpha,n) reactions of interest for the alpha-process.
Zachary Meisel, PhD (Advisor)
70 p.
Nuclear Physics; Physics
Long Counter; Neutron; alpha-process; nucleosynthesis

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Brandenburg, K. H. (2017). Development of a Neutron Long Counter for (alpha,n) Cross Section Measurements at Ohio University [Master's thesis, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1512730722722763

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Brandenburg, Kristyn. Development of a Neutron Long Counter for (alpha,n) Cross Section Measurements at Ohio University. 2017. Ohio University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1512730722722763.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Brandenburg, Kristyn. "Development of a Neutron Long Counter for (alpha,n) Cross Section Measurements at Ohio University." Master's thesis, Ohio University, 2017. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1512730722722763

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ohiou1512730722722763
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© 2017, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Ohio University and OhioLINK.