Neutron emission spectra measurement from proton bombardment of thick carbon target

Abstract

The double-differential thick-target neutron yields (DDTTNY) for proton-induced reactions on thick carbon target were measured at 10.7 MeV, 12.9 MeV, and 14.0 MeV proton energies using the time-of-flight (TOF) method. Measurements were performed at 18 emission angles ranging from 0\(^{\circ }\) to 145\(^{\circ }\) with EJ301 liquid organic scintillation detectors. The angular distribution of neutron yields was obtained by integrating the DDTTNY spectra above the detection threshold. The total neutron yield was derived by fitting the angular distribution with Legendre polynomials. Monte Carlo simulations of neutron yields were carried out using FLUKA and MCNP codes. The simulated results were compared with experimental data, showing that the MCNP results based on the CEM physical model exhibit better agreement with experimental data in the low-energy region. In contrast, FLUKA with the PEANUT physical model underestimate neutron yields at larger angles.