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Secondary Gamma-Ray Production and Transport in Liquid Nitrogen

G. M. Reynolds, S. M. Sperling, W. E. Selph

Nuclear Science and Engineering / Volume 42 / Number 3 / December 1970 / Pages 324-334

Technical Paper / dx.doi.org/10.13182/NSE70-A21221

High resolution measurements have been made of the gamma-ray spectrum produced in liquid nitrogen by a 14-MeV neutron source. The spectra of gamma rays from neutron inelastic scattering were measured to a distance of six feet by pulsing the source. Comparison of the inelastic photon flux with discrete ordinates calculations using ENDF/B neutron cross sections and recent gamma-ray production cross sections shows good agreement for the strong well-resolved lines. The results of unfolding the continuum part of the spectrum reveal a flux of high energy lines that is a sizable fraction of the total flux of resolved lines. These normally unresolved gamma rays account for part of the gap in the nitrogen nonelastic cross section.