Neutron induced charged particle reactions on 23Na

High resolution measurements of neutron induced charged particle reactions on 23Na have been performed. A NaI(Tl) detector served as both target and detector, with pulse shape discrimination being applied for the separation of protons and alpha-particles from each other and from events involving gamma-ray detection. The neutron energy was measured by time-of-flight, using an 80 m flight path. Relative cross sections for 23Na(n,p) and 23Na(n,α) have been determined in the neutron energy range between 5 and 11 MeV. Up to 9 MeV it has also been possible to separate the (n,p0) reaction leading to the 23Ne ground state from the (n,p') reaction feeding the first five excited states of 23Ne. All observed cross sections show strong fluctuations in most of the energy intervals investigated, especially below 7 MeV, where marked peaks are observed in the (n,p0) cross section. In the range between 7 and 9 MeV neutron energy, a significant correlation is found between the fluctuations in the (n,p0) and (n,p') cross sections, whereas the fluctuations in the (n,α) cross section are not correlated with either of the former two. This observation is indicative of doorway states common to the proton channels. (Auth.)