Assessment of the McMaster KN Accelerator for Nuclear Resonance Absorption and Fluorescence Experiments with 28Si Nucleus Induced by 27Al(p,γ)^28Si Capture Reaction

Abstract

<p> This thesis represents a detailed assessment of the McMaster KN Accelerator site for the performance of a nuclear resonance absorption and fluorescence phenomenon in the 28Si nucleus. The main focus of this work is the 27Al(p, γ)^28 Si reaction, although other nuclear reactions are explored, such as: 27Al(p, p'γ)^27Al and 27Al(p, αγ)^24Mg. The gamma yield experiments from all these reactions suggest a repeatable and steady results, as well as very good agreement with the present literature. This is seen in chapter 2. Chapter 3 represents concrete nuclear resonance experiments with a direct ground state transition of the 12.33 MeV gamma energy from the 27Al(p, γ)^28Si reaction. These experiments are reproducible and repeatable with either HPGe or NaI(T1) (NaI elsewhere in text) detectors. Also, they are in close agreement with the literature.</p> <p> However, the main part of this work is described in chapter 4, where the first excited level of Si at 1.78 MeV is studied thoroughly. This is a pilot work that has never been attempted before. A thorough empirical approach is undertaken and described in section 4.1. This approach describes rationale for attempting nuclear resonance experiments with the first excited state of Si. The calculations suggest very close agreement between 12.33 MeV and 1.78 MeV experiments. Based on that, 7 different experimental sets, with several subsets ( within some of the sets) are performed. Very interesting results are obtained. However, so far, it cannot be concluded whether NRA/NRF experiments can be performed using the first excited state of Si. Most likely, hight current proton accelerators should be used and the experiments with 1.78 MeV lines should be repeated. These accelerators are described in chapter 5 and have the proton current output close to 1000 times higher than the McMaster KN accelerator. At the end, the dosimetry measurements suggest a negligible radiation dose from KN accelerator, as well as from these powerful accelerators.</p>