Neutron Yields from Alpha-Particle Bombardment

Thick-target (α,n) neutron yields have been measured for ^6,7,NATLi, ⁹Be,^10,11,NATB, Pb¹⁹F₂ and Zn₁₉F₂, ^NATMg, ²⁷Al, ^NATSi, and ²⁸Si^NATO₂. From the Pb¹⁹F₂ and Zn¹⁹F₂ data, we have extracted the neutron yield that would result from the (α,n) reaction on a thick target of pure fluorine. Using the ²⁸Si^NATO₂ data, we have extracted the yield that would result from the (α,n) reaction on a thick target of pure ^NATO₂ and the ^NATO(α,n) cross section at alpha-particle energies above those for which measurements previously existed. In addition, we have remeasured the thin-target oxygen cross section to obtain a correction to the previously measured values. Thick-target yields are calculated from the cross-section values for carbon and oxygen and are compared to the experimental thick-target data. Thick-target yields for ²³⁸U^NATO₂ and for ²³⁸U^NATC are calculated from the thin-target cross sections. Results are compared to existing experiment and calculations.