Neutron production in ($\alpha$,n) reactions in SOURCES4

Abstract

Neutrons produced in spontaneous fission and (\alpha,nα,n) reactions can induce background events in underground experiments looking for rare processes. A number of computer codes are available to calculate cross-sections of (\alpha,nα,n) reactions, branching ratios to various states and neutron yields. SOURCES4 code has been used in this work to calculate neutron yields and energy spectra with input cross-sections and branching ratios taken from experimental data and models from EMPIRE2.19/3.2.3 and TALYS1.9 codes. A comparison of SOURCES4 calculations with experimental data from alpha beams and radioactive decay chains is presented.