ON THE PRODUCTION OF Be7 IN THE NRX REACTOR BY THE B10(p,α)Be7, Li7(p,n)Be7, AND Li6(d,n)Be7 REACTIONS

Abstract

Beryllium-7 has been produced in the NRX reactor by the following reactions: B10(p,α)Be7, Li7(p,n)Be7, and Li6(d,n)Be7. The Be7 has been identified by its half-life and gamma-ray energy. The (p,α), (p,n), and (d,n) reactions were initiated by protons and deuterons produced by neutron – hydrogen atom collisions and by neutron – deuterium atom collisions from the irradiation of boric acid, lithium hydroxide, and lithium deuteroxide respectively. The same three reactions were also initiated by protons and deuterons produced by (n,p) and (n,d) reactions on boron, lithium, and other target elements chemically combined with lithium.