Optimised neutron yield calculations from ($\alpha,n$) reactions with the modified SOURCES4 code

TL;DR

This paper presents improved neutron yield calculations from ($ ext{α,n}$) reactions using a modified SOURCES4A code with updated cross-sections, validated against experimental data, to better estimate backgrounds in underground experiments.

Contribution

The study introduces updated cross-sections and a modified SOURCES4A code for more accurate neutron yield calculations from ($ ext{α,n}$) reactions, validated against experimental data.

Findings

Enhanced neutron yield calculations with updated cross-sections.

Good agreement between calculations and experimental data.

Improved background estimation for underground experiments.

Abstract

The sensitivity of underground experiments searching for rare events such as dark matter, neutrino interactions or several beyond the standard model phenomena is often limited by the background caused by neutrons from spontaneous fission and ($\alpha,n$) reactions. A number of codes exist to calculate neutron yields and energy spectra due to these processes. In this paper we present new calculations of neutron production using the modified SOURCES4A code with recently updated cross-sections for ($\alpha,n$) reactions and the comparison of the results with available experimental data. The cross-sections for ($\alpha,n$) reactions in SOURCES4 have been taken from reliable experimental data where possible, complemented by the calculations with EMPIRE 2.19/3.2.3, TALYS 1.96 or evaluated data library JENDL-5 where the data were scarce or unavailable.