Radioactive neutron source spectra from 9Be(α, n) cross section data

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Abstract

Cross sections and angular distributions for the 9Be(α, n)12C reaction were evaluated from the existing literature. These cross sections as well as the published neutron spectra from the Be+α break-up reaction were used to calculate the neutron yield and the spectra emitted by radioactive Be(α, n) sources. Seven different sources types containing 239Pu, 210Po, 241Am, 244Cm, 242Cm, 226Ra or 227Ac as α-emitters were considered. The predicted spectra should aid in clarifying the differences which are found between the many published experimental spectra.

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