Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Inelastic Neutron Scattering Cross Sections For 76Ge Relevant To Background In Neutrinoless Double-Β Decay Experiments, Benjamin P. Crider, Erin Elizabeth Peters, J. M. Allmond, Marcus T. Mcellistrem, Francisco M. Prados-Estévez, T. J. Ross, J. R. Vanhoy, Steven W. Yates

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

The experimental signature in searches for the neutrinoless double-β decay of ⁷⁶Ge is a peak near 2039 keV in the spectrum. Given the low probability of the process, it is important that the background in this region be well understood. Inelastic scattering reactions with neutrons from muon-induced interactions and (α,n) reactions in the surrounding materials or in the detector can provide contributions to the background. We have measured the production cross sections for γ rays from the ⁷⁶Ge(n,n'γ ) reaction in the 2039-keV region at incident neutron energies up to …