The neutron energy spectra from Po–B10(α,n) and Po–B11(α,n) sources have been determined by the nuclear emulsion method and with a proton recoil spectrometer. Gamma spectra have also been measured. The Po–B10 neutron spectrum extends to an energy of 6.0 Mev and shows two peaks, at 1.0 and 3.0 Mev. The lines in the gamma spectrum are not in coincidence with neutrons but are caused by competing reactions. The Po–B11 neutron spectrum shows one peak at 2.7 Mev; the maximum energy observed is 5.0 Mev. One γ-ray line at 2.32 Mev with an intensity of 5% of the neutron emission rate is detected in the gamma–neutron coincidence measurements. The experimental neutron energy spectra have been compared with calculated spectra and are compatible with the gamma measurements, as well as with published level schemes for the residual N13 and N14 nuclei. In the case of the Po–B10 source only one-third of the neutrons are produced by the B10(α,n)N13 reaction and the remainder has to be accounted for by the B10(α,np)C12 reaction.
Forward modeling of pile-up events in liquid scintillator detectors for neutron emission spectroscopy