Measurement of the $^{12}$C($n,p$)$^{12}$B cross section at n_TOF (CERN) by in-beam activation analysis

TL;DR

This paper reports the first measurement of the $^{12}$C($n,p$)$^{12}$B reaction cross section over a broad energy range at CERN, providing critical data to improve nuclear reaction models.

Contribution

First in-beam activation measurement of the $^{12}$C($n,p$)$^{12}$B cross section across a wide energy spectrum at n_TOF, offering a new benchmark for model validation.

Findings

Model predictions are mostly inadequate for this reaction.

The measured cross section serves as a benchmark for model tuning.

Data covers neutron energies from threshold to several GeV.

Abstract

The integral cross section of the $^{12}$C($n,p$)$^{12}$B reaction has been determined for the first time in the neutron energy range from threshold to several GeV at the n_TOF facility at CERN. The measurement relies on the activation technique, with the $\beta$-decay of $^{12}$B measured over a period of four half-lives within the same neutron bunch in which the reaction occurs. The results indicate that model predictions, used in a variety of applications, are mostly inadequate. The value of the integral cross section reported here can be used as a benchmark for verifying or tuning model calculations.