Nuclear Reaction Spectroscopy of Vibrational Modes of Solids

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe effects of target-atom vibrations on nuclear reaction kinetics have been examined. In particular, Doppler broadening of resonance-type and elastic- scattering reactions has been considered in detail. Depending on the specific process parameters, the resulting energy widths can be many orders of magnitude larger than the energies of the vibrational states of the target solid. Comparison of experimental results on a hydrogen-bearing thin target with the theoretical predictions shows excellent agreement. We will show the importance of this effect in hydrogen profiling measurements and point out the feasibility of vibrational spectroscopy on hydrogen in solids.