Photodisintegrationof 3H and Supporting Experiments

Abstract

This experiment consisted of the planning of the photodisintegration of the triton at the High Intesity γ-ray Source and supporting experiments. The primary supporting experiment was photofission of 18O. The 18O photofission experiment verified the experimental techniques, analysis methods, and computational approaches that will be used for the photodisintegration of the triton. Neutrons were detected using an array of 30 liquid organic scintillators positioned at 3 angles in θ. Neutrons were detected both individually and in coincidence to map differential cross section as a function of angle. Measurements were made using circularly polarized γ-rays at 23.7 and 32.0 Mev. These measurements are the first anuglar differential cross section measurements performed for the 18O(γ,n) and 18O(γ,nn) reactions.Also in support of photodisintegration of the triton, background neutron spectra were taken for the 27 Al(γ,n) reaction using the planned detector array. This provides in-situ feedback on expected signals and informed the proposed experimental setup for the photodisintegration of the triton. Theoretical predictions for tritium breakup were used to produce events processed by a GEANT4 simulation to assess the true coincidence versus interference coincidence rates. The results for these measurements and predictions are presented in this thesis.