Novel coincidence detection technique for precision measurement of neutron-capture-induced nuclear recoils

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel coincidence detection method to precisely measure nuclear recoils from neutron capture, aiding calibration and solid-state physics research.

Contribution

It proposes the first experiment to simultaneously detect gamma and nuclear recoil products from neutron capture, enabling improved understanding of lattice dynamics.

Findings

Simulations indicate feasible detection with existing technology.

A 26.1 gram-day exposure with a californium source achieves positive measurement.

The method enhances calibration accuracy for solid-state detectors.

Abstract

The lattice dynamics following particle interactions remain not fully understood, and effects from nuclear-recoil interactions in conventional solid-state detectors - such as defect formation - can hinder accurate event-energy interpretation. Neutron capture $(n,\gamma)$ can produce detectable, precise-energy nuclear recoils for detector calibration and solid-state physics studies. This paper proposes a first-of-its-kind experiment to measure the twin products of neutron capture - the postcapture deexcitation gamma and postcapture nuclear recoil. Simulations show that with a 1 mCi californium neutron source, a positive measurement with existing detector technologies is possible in 26.1 gram-days of exposure.