Quasi-differential elastic and inelastic neutron scattering from iron in the MeV energy range

Scattering experiments performed with the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Linear Accelerator measured elastic and inelastic scattering from an elemental iron sample. Eight liquid scintillator (EJ-301) proton recoil fast neutron detectors were positioned at several angles 0.5 m from the scattering sample. Data were measured using neutron time-of-flight in the energy range from 0.5 to 20 MeV, and pulse shape analysis was used to discriminate neutrons from gamma-rays. Nuclear data evaluations were compared to experimental data using Monte Carlo calculations. Below 2 MeV two new techniques were developed: a method which assessed inelastic-to-elastic scattering ratios and a method to determine the contribution from neutrons after only elastic scattering. These techniques, along with time-of-flight results, may help identify specific reactions that account for differences between evaluations and experimental data.