Scattering of 14.7 MeV neutrons from ${}_{}{}^{12}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{C}$ and evidence for a new reaction channel

Measurements of neutron scattering from carbon have been carried out for 14.7 MeV neutrons using associated particle and time-of-flight techniques. Angular distributions for the ground state, 4.43, and 7.65 MeV states have been measured in the laboratory angular range 30-130° and for the 9.63 MeV state in the range 30-70°. Double differential scattering cross sections have been obtained in the energy range 3-14 MeV. Monte Carlo simulation has been used to correct for multiple scattering including scattered flux attenuation. The integrated cross sections for 4.43 and 7.65 MeV states have been obtained as 214±8 and 9.3±1.6 mb, respectively. The present data have been compared with the published data. Evidence for a ${}_{}{}^{12}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{C}$($n$,$\alpha$)${}_{}{}^9{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Be}$ reaction populating the 6.76 MeV state and subsequently decaying by emission of a neutron has been observed for the first time. The presence of a neutron group of 5.6 MeV energy at backward angles has been discussed.

NUCLEAR REACTIONS ${}_{}{}^{12}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{C}$($n$,$n$), ${}_{}{}^{12}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{C}$($n$,$n^{\prime }$), ${}_{}{}^{12}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{C}$($n$,$\alpha n$), $E=14.7\mathrm{}$ MeV; measured $\sigma (E,\theta )$, double differential scattering cross sections, integrated cross sections, natural target.