Prompt γ and neutron spectrometry of intense nanosecond ion bunches collectively accelerated in a Luce diode

Abstract

Instantaneous time-of-flight spectrometry of neutrons (nToF) and γ‑spectrometry from nuclear reactions generated by nanosecond proton and 12C ion bunches collectively accelerated in a Luce diode at a voltage across the diode of 200–300 kV has been thoroughly researched. A two-channel γ‑spectrometer with time resolution of 2.5 ns enables a prompt control of number and energy of collectively accelerated protons in their separate bunches dumped into a sustainable and refractory B4C target. Combination of nuclear reactions 10B(p,αγ)7Be, 12C(p,γ)13N, and 11B(p,γ)12C was used to characterize the intense nanosecond proton bunches with energy and number per shot in excess of 500–750 keV and 6∙1014, respectively. The radioactivity of 7Be and 13N radionuclides was measured with a conventional HP Ge detector to calibrate the prompt technique. The threshold nuclear reaction 11B(p,n)11C was used to perform nToF spectrometry of high-energy protons bunches with energy higher than 3.02 MeV, while 12C(d,n)13N and 2H(12C,n)13N reactions were used to control deuteron and 12C ion bunches.