Reaction d + 2H → 3He + n as a source of quasi-monoenergetic neutrons for studying the properties of neutron detectors

Abstract

The responses of two liquid scintillators to neutron irradiation are investigated. Monoenergetic neutrons are obtained in the reaction d + ²H → ³He + n in different configurations of a coincidence experiment involving the detection of both neutrons and the ³He nucleus. In the experiment, the 15 MeV deuteron beam from the U-120 accelerator at the Skobeltsyn Institute of Nuclear Physics, Moscow State University, hits a target of deuterated polyethylene, and the secondary neutrons obtained in the reaction irradiate the EJ-301 and EJ-315 liquid scintillators under study.