Review of neutron yield from (α, n) reactions: data, methods, and prospects

Cano-Ott, D ; Cebrián, S (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Dimitriou, P ; Gromov, M ; Haranczyk, M ; Kish, A ; Kluck, H ; Kudryavtsev, V A ; Lazanu, I ; Lozza, V ; Luzón, G (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Mendoza, E ; Parvu, M ; Pesudo, V ; Pocar, A ; Santorelli, R ; Selvi, M ; Westerdale, S ; Zuzel, G

Resumen: Understanding the radiogenic neutron production rate from the (α, n)reaction is crucial in many areas of physics, including dark mattersearches, neutrino studies, and nuclear astrophysics.In addition to itsrelevance forfundamentalresearch, the (α, n)reaction also plays a significantrole in nuclear energy technologies, for example by contributing to neutron production in subcritical systems using UO2, aswell asin applicationssuch as medical physics. Thisreviewexaminesthe currentstate of(α, n) yield calculations and neutron spectra, describesthe computational tools used fortheir estimation, and discussesthe available cross-section data. We investigate the uncertainties affecting (α, n) yield estimations and propose strategiesto enhance their accuracy. Furthermore,we highlight the need for new measurements of(α, n) cross-sectionsfor a variety ofrelevant materials. Such measurements are key to improving neutron flux predictions and reducing uncertaintiesin sensitivity estimatesfor next-generation physics experiments operating in the keV–MeVrange.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.1088/1361-6471/adeffa

Año: 2026

Publicado en: Journal of Physics G: Nuclear and Particle Physics 53, 2 (2026), 023001 [27 pp.]
ISSN: 0954-3899

Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/AEI/PID2022-138357NB-C22
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MICINN/PID2021-123100NB-I00

Tipo y forma: Article (Published version)

Área (Departamento): Área Física Atóm.Molec.y Nucl. (Dpto. Física Teórica)