A fission-fragment-sensitive target for X-ray spectroscopy in neutron-induced fission

A fission-fragment-sensitive detector built for low-energy photon spectroscopy applications at the WNR “white” neutron source at Los Alamos is described. The detector consists of eight layers of thin photovoltaic cells, onto which 1 mg/cm2 of pure 238U is deposited. The detector serves as an active target to select fission events from background and other reaction channels. The fairly small thickness of the detector with respect to transmission of 20–50 keV photons permits the measurement of prompt fission-fragment X-rays. Results with the GEANIE photon spectrometer are presented.