Measurement of the Neutron Spin-Polarization in Deuterium Photodisintegration
Date
2025-01-15
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
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ORCID
Type
Thesis
Degree Level
Doctoral
Abstract
This work is a measurement of the spin-polarization of the recoil neutron in deuterium photodisintegration. This seeks to address discrepancies between theoretical calculations and previous experimental results for this quantity. The measurement makes use of a spin-dependent asymmetry in the scattering of neutrons from helium. The neutron scattering is detected by measuring the recoil helium nucleus in a high-pressure Helium- Xenon analyzer cell, and the scattered neutrons are detected in liquid scintillator detectors placed on either side of the analyzer cell.
To make such a measurement, the assembly of a new detector array was necessary. This experiment served as the commissioning of this array, and many of its characteristics were determined. The techniques for the analysis of data from this array have also been established, relying on a coincidence requirement between analyzer cells and neutron detectors. Utilizing the time-of-flight information, the neutron events that scatter within an analyzer cell and then into a neutron detector are well-defined by the kinematics of the scattering interactions.
This work presents the analysis of data collected with a circularly-polarized photon beam with energy of 8 MeV and detecting the photodisintegration neutrons at angles of 45, 90, and 135. This is a subset of a larger dataset that includes beam energies of 8, 12, and 16 MeV, using both linear and circular polarizations. The results of this analysis are consistent with theoretical calculations for the photodisintegration angles investigated.
Description
Keywords
Deuterium, Photodisintegration, Neutron, Spin, Polarization, Asymmetry,
Citation
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Department
Physics and Engineering Physics
Program
Physics