Initial progress towards direct measurement of neutron-induced reactions in inverse kinematics with the Neutron Target Demonstrator

Neutron-induced reactions play central roles in the study of astrophysical phenomena. The study of these reactions on rare isotopes has been hindered by short lifetimes, which rule out the standard approach of neutrons impinging on a fixed target. Los Alamos National Laboratory is leading a new effort to directly study neutron-induced reactions in inverse kinematics. Neutrons will be produced at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE) using a proton beam on a tungsten spallation target. This target will be surrounded by a graphite moderator, which moderates enough of the spallation neutrons to produce a standing field, or "neutron target." A rare-isotope beam will be injected into a storage ring which passes through the neutron target. The first phase of this project is the Neutron Target Demonstrator (NTD) which will provide a proof-of-concept for the neutron target technique using a stable isotope beam. The NTD will use spallation at LANSCE to produce a neutron target, but the target will be impinged by a stable beam of krypton from an ion source rather than a storage ring. Progress will be presented on experimental characterization of the moderator, modeling of the reaction kinematics, and commissioning of the ion source.