Difference between revisions of "B (p,n) C"
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==Background== | ==Background== | ||
| − | + | In this experiment a proton fuses with <sup>11</sup>B nucleus then boils out a neutron to form the short lived isotope <sup>11</sup>C. We seek to identify <sup>11</sup>C by its half-life and to investigate the angular correlation of gamma-rays which we detect as a result of its decay. | |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ||
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==Goals== | ==Goals== | ||
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* Describe the ion optics principles and devices used in a low-energy heavy ion accelerator; | * Describe the ion optics principles and devices used in a low-energy heavy ion accelerator; | ||
* Develop and tune an ion beam to target using the accelerator facility; | * Develop and tune an ion beam to target using the accelerator facility; | ||
| − | * Describe the principles behind | + | * Describe the principles behind gamma ray detection; |
| − | * Use a | + | * Use a gamma detector (NaI) and signal processing electronics (NIM based)to collect count rates of correlated photons; |
| − | * Analyze count rate versus | + | * Analyze count rate versus angle to characterize the decay mode of <sup>11</sup>C; |
| + | * Analyze count rate versus time data to extract the <sup>11</sup>C half-life; | ||
* Describe the nuclear physics meaning of their results. | * Describe the nuclear physics meaning of their results. | ||
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===Technique=== | ===Technique=== | ||
| − | To | + | To create <sup>11</sup>C, we will conduct a fusion evaporation reaction with a proton beam and <sup>11</sup>B target. |
| + | The literature guides us to use a proton energy of about 6 MeV. When designing a target, one should consider the effect of energy straggling and how other materials exposed to the beam (target frames, beam stops) may contribute to contamination of the measurement. | ||
| − | + | To run the experiment, we expose the <sup>11</sup>B target to the <sup>1</sup>H beam for approximately 2 half-lives of <sup>11</sup>C. We then remove the4 target to a beam-free room and use 2 sodium iodide detectors and associated electronics (NIM) to identify coincident events. | |
==Data Collection== | ==Data Collection== | ||
| − | As of September 2010, we will collect data for this experiment | + | As of September 2010, we will collect data for this experiment manually! The data are simply a table of counts per unit time versus time. |
==Analysis== | ==Analysis== | ||
| − | Ideally, one | + | Ideally, one will see a simple exponential decay. The presence of contaminants has the potential to introduce other exponentials and complicate the fit. |
Return to [[Lab Manuals]] | Return to [[Lab Manuals]] | ||
Latest revision as of 14:47, 6 September 2010
Contents
Background
In this experiment a proton fuses with 11B nucleus then boils out a neutron to form the short lived isotope 11C. We seek to identify 11C by its half-life and to investigate the angular correlation of gamma-rays which we detect as a result of its decay.
Goals
At the completion of this experiment students will be able to:
- Describe the principles behind the production of a negative ion beam;
- Operate an inverted sputter negative ion source;
- Describe the principles of high voltage production with a Van de Graaff;
- Operate the FN-8 Tandem Van de Graaff;
- Describe the ion optics principles and devices used in a low-energy heavy ion accelerator;
- Develop and tune an ion beam to target using the accelerator facility;
- Describe the principles behind gamma ray detection;
- Use a gamma detector (NaI) and signal processing electronics (NIM based)to collect count rates of correlated photons;
- Analyze count rate versus angle to characterize the decay mode of 11C;
- Analyze count rate versus time data to extract the 11C half-life;
- Describe the nuclear physics meaning of their results.
Accelerator Operation
In order to acquire sufficiently energetic protons for this experiment, you will have to learn to create and direct a proton ion beam in the tandem accelerator. There are a number of components to the accelerator, which you will need to know the function of and how they will affect the nature of the proton beam.
Components
- The Ion Source: Negative H- are created here and accelerated at relatively low energies.
- The Tandem Accelerator: Negative H- ions are accelerated to the center of the tandem, stripped of the electrons to create protons, and then accelerated through the rest of the tandem to a high energy.
- The Target Room: The high energy proton beam is directed onto an aluminum foil target, hopefully creating a nuclear fusion reaction.
- The Detectors: Specialized detectors are used to identify, count and characterize reaction products.
In addition to these main sections of the accelerator, you will need to be able to use the ion optics in the accelerator effectively to steer and focus the beam.
Technique
To create 11C, we will conduct a fusion evaporation reaction with a proton beam and 11B target. The literature guides us to use a proton energy of about 6 MeV. When designing a target, one should consider the effect of energy straggling and how other materials exposed to the beam (target frames, beam stops) may contribute to contamination of the measurement.
To run the experiment, we expose the 11B target to the 1H beam for approximately 2 half-lives of 11C. We then remove the4 target to a beam-free room and use 2 sodium iodide detectors and associated electronics (NIM) to identify coincident events.
Data Collection
As of September 2010, we will collect data for this experiment manually! The data are simply a table of counts per unit time versus time.
Analysis
Ideally, one will see a simple exponential decay. The presence of contaminants has the potential to introduce other exponentials and complicate the fit.
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