The method of tagged neutrons - everything is just beginning

On 19 January, a Scientific and Methodological Seminar "Using the method of tagged neutrons for fundamental and applied research" was held at the Veksler and Baldin Laboratory of High Energy Physics.

In the first part of the seminar, Head of the Sector of investigations of neutron-nuclear interactions Yuri N. Kopatch reported on the development of the method of tagged neutrons (MTN) for determining the elemental structure of matter and studying nuclear reactions, about the TANGRA (TAgged Neutrons and Gamma RAys) Project implemented at the Frank Laboratory Neutron Physics. The essence of the method of tagged neutrons, its features and advantages were described, as well. Schematics of experiments with MTN, configurations of experimental facilities, an overview of different types of neutron generators, data acquisition systems based on digitizers were presented. Scientific and methodological research was also described: determination of tagged beam profiles, measurement of gamma ray angular distributions, analysis of time and energy spectra from BGO detectors, others. The abovementioned confirmed the conclusion that the MTN is an efficient tool for studying fast neutron-nuclear reactions that allows to successfully implement the programme for measuring the yields and angular distributions of gamma rays and neutrons in these reactions.

In the second part of the Seminar, VBLHEP chief researcher Mikhail G. Sapozhnikov spoke about the application of MTN for applied research, in particular, about the discovery of diamonds in kimberlite rocks, the analysis of mineral raw materials on the conveyor. This work is carried out in cooperation with Russian enterprises. The use of tagged atoms to determine the mass concentration of carbon in soil was also described. At the end of the Seminar, several investigations were presented to determine the elemental analysis of animals and humans in vivo (in natural conditions).

Thus, the possibilities and prospects for the use of MTN aimed at carrying out non-destructive elemental analysis of substances for industry, medicine, ecology and other fields were presented.

Galina MYALKOVSKAYA