Measurement of Elastic and Inelastic Neutron Scattering Cross Sections for ⁵¹V

Precise neutron scattering cross section data are critical for both fundamental nuclear physics and a range of applications. This study focuses on ⁵¹V, a potential benchmark material with fewer resonances than iron (Fe) across much of the fast neutron energy range, which makes it a promising alternative for cross section evaluations.

Experiments were conducted at the University of Kentucky Accelerator Laboratory using a 7 MV Van de Graaff accelerator, which produced a pulsed neutron beam with a 533 ns pulse width. Time-of-flight techniques were applied to measure neutron scattering from natural vanadium targets over incident neutron energies of 3.0, 3.5, and 4.0 MeV. A rotatable goniometer enabled measurements at laboratory angles from 30° to 154°.

To validate the method, elastic scattering measurements from a natural carbon target were used as a reference. Additional scattering data were collected on an aluminum sample as well to support consistency and comparison.

We present preliminary differential cross section results for elastic and inelastic scattering from ⁵¹V at all three energies.