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Deuteron formation in 16O(n,np) scattering

Determine whether the final-state neutron and proton produced in the 16O(n,np) scattering at neutron energies of 30 MeV and 250 MeV form a bound deuteron (np) state.

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Background

In the measurements of γ rays from neutron interactions with 16O in water, several lines attributed to excited states of 15N were observed, which arise when a proton is released in the 16O(n,np) reaction. The authors note that the final-state neutron and proton could potentially form a bound deuteron.

Whether such np pairs form deuterons impacts the interpretation of reaction mechanisms and secondary particle production in water Cherenkov detectors, which in turn affects modeling of γ-ray emission in neutrino-oxygen NCQE analyses.

References

Here, the final state neutron and proton may form a bound state of a deuteron, but our measurement is not able to tell this.

— Measurement of $γ$-rays generated by neutron interaction with ${}^{16}$O at 30 MeV and 250 MeV (2405.15366 - Tano et al., 24 May 2024) in Subsection "Observed γ-ray peaks", Section 4 (Nuclear Deexcitation γ-rays)