Observation of the n($^3$He,t)p Reaction by Detection of Far-Ultraviolet Radiation

ORAL

Abstract

We have detected Lyman alpha radiation as a product of the n($^3 $He,t)p nuclear reaction, induced in a $^3$He gas cell irradiated by a cold neutron beam at the NIST Center for Neutron Research. The predominant source of this radiation appears to be decay of the 2p state of tritium produced by charge transfer and excitation collisions with the background $^3$He gas. For atmospheric pressure and room temperature in the $^3$He cell, we find yields of tens of Lyman alpha photons for every neutron reaction. These results suggest a method of cold neutron detection that is complementary to existing technologies that use proportional counters. In particular, this approach may provide single neutron sensitivity with wide dynamic range capability, and a class of neutron detectors that are compact and operate at relatively low voltages.

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Authors

  • Charles W. Clark

    NIST, Gaithersburg, and JQI, UMD, Joint Quantum Institute, University of Maryland and National Institute of Standards and Technology, Joint Quantum Institute, NIST and the University of Maryland, Joint Quantum Institute, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg MD 20899, Joint Quantum Institute, National Institute of Standards and Technology

  • Alan K. Thompson

    National Institute of Standards and Technology

  • Michael A. Coplan

    Institute for Physical Science and Technology, University of Maryland

  • John W. Cooper

    Institute for Physical Science and Technology, University of Maryland

  • Patrick Hughes

    Department of Physics, University of Maryland

  • Robert E. Vest

    Electron and Optical Physics Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology