Research

The primary motive behind the development of NAND is the study of reaction dynamics in the energy domain near the coulomb barrier. Unlike just getting the average value of neutron multiplicity as in the conventional method, these kinds of multi-detector set-ups help to get the multiplicity distribution of pre- and post-scission neutrons in a fusion-fission reaction.

Neutron measurements at limited angles have been utilised earlier for the studies of reaction mechanism, level density parameters and fission time scales. However, measurement with more number of detectors placed in and out of plane would help in precise determination of the various parameters. In a nuclear reaction, neutrons are emitted at various stages of the collision and from various sources. Neutron energy spectra are analysed considering emission from different sources with the selection of their mass/charge and velocities.

Another aspect of neutron measurement is the study of superheavy nuclei. Neutron emission from such a heavy mononuclear system in competition with fission enhances survival probability of the heavy system. Cross-section of superheavy nucleus formation is of the order of a few pb. To overcome the limitation of beam current large neutron detector array is preferred.