Compound nucleus reactions

Consider the data

Propose a model
Consider these data
Same final state;
different initial state

Varying energies
for p and
 Consider these data
p 63Cu 63
Zn n
64
Zn* 62
Cu n p
60 Ni 62
Zn 2n

Each initial state

can produce all three final states
does not depend on
The cross section for each final state
the initial reactants. (data)

All reactions have the same intermediate (compound) nucleus.

The cross section for producing each final state depends

on the excitation energy in the compound nucleus.
 Compound nucleus model
p 63Cu 63
Zn n
64
Zn* 62
Cu n p
60 Ni 62
Zn 2n
a + X [C*] Y + b

Consider these reactions as a two-stage processes:

Formation of the compound nucleus
a,b aXC *
a,b

Decay of the compound nucleus a XC * PC * bY

a,b PC *bY

 Compound nucleus model
p 63Cu 63
Zn n
64
Zn* 62
Cu n p
60 Ni C*
62
Zn 2n

The lifetime C*
of the compound nucleus is long compared to
the time for the incident energy to be shared among nucleons.

Particle a has multiple scatters (energy exchanges) with
nucleons in the target nucleus. Ta is shared quickly.
Nucleus C* retains no memory of how it was formed.
C* is almost always formed in an excited state.
c 197MeV fm
Tp 20MeV pa 200MeV /c a 1fm
pc 200MeV /cc
 Compound nucleus model
p 63Cu 63
Zn n
64
Zn* 62
Cu n p
60 Ni C*
62
Zn 2n

After a long
time, C* decays, emitting one or more particles.
The decay mechanism (channel) thatdominates the
decay of C* is determined by the excitation energy
E* in C* (data)

2
E ma m X mC * c T *
*
gs
 d Li
6

p1
Td 2MeV
pd
p 2

E*
Ti
*

*
mdc2 + mLic2 Tf

0.0
m
Be c2
m c2 + mc2
 Compound nucleus model
p 63Cu 63
Zn n

64
Zn* 62
Cu n p
60 Ni 62
Zn 2n

E*
*
Ti
*
Tf
mac2 + mXc2

mb c2 + mYc2
2 0.0
mC*c
 Compound nucleus model
p 63Cu 63
Zn n

64
Zn* 62
Cu n p
60 Ni 62
Zn 2n

Formation of the compound nucleus

a,b aXC *

What is the form for these?

Decay of the compound nucleus
a,b PC *bY
 115
In n 116 In
115
In n 116

In * 116 In
113
In n 114 In
113
In n 114

In * 114 In

Ti* E*
mnc2 + mInc2
Tf*
TOF
0
Expt mIn-116 c2 mIn-116 c2

Resonances

 Time of Flight Experiment
Maxwell velocity
neutron beam Target/detector

t
shutter
gate
Example L

t = L/v

Cd Measure t you know v

 Compound nucleus model
p 63Cu 63
Zn n
64
Zn* 62
Cu n p
60 Ni 62
Zn 2n

Formation of the compound nucleus

s
a XC * 2

E Eo 2 4
2

s r1 r2 r3
Decay of the compound nucleus
i
PC * bY

 Compound nucleus model
p 63Cu 63
Zn n
64
Zn* 62
Cu n p
60 Ni 62
Zn 2n

a,b aXC
* PC *bY

s
a,b 2 i g
J
E Eo 4
2 2 Include spin effects

s i gJ
2J 1
a,b 2 gJ
2I a 12I X 1
E Eo
2
2 4