On the origin of low energy tail for monoenergetic neutron sources

The problems of data processing when measuring inelastic neutron scattering cross sections for separated nuclei levels are studied. The model describing the neutron energy distribution for monoenergetic neutron sources is developed. The factors which make the major contributions into spectrometer response function formation are discussed. It is shown that the model considered predicts well neutron energy distribution from metal Li-target. The model parameters should be estimated on the basis of the experimental data. The neutron scattering on target environment contributes much into the low energy region of the neutron spectrum. An additional neutron source is introduced into the model in order to describe the low energy peak asymmetry (the so-called low energy tail). The tail neutron contribution dependence on incident energy and angle turns out to be rather unexpected. The conclusion is made that it is difficult to explain the origin and the properties of the tail neutron source by slit proton scattering or some Li-nuclei distribution regularities. 3 refs., 6 figs