Compensated ionization chamber for (n,α) reaction measurements at a spallation neutron source

The new spallation neutron facility n_TOF (neutron time-of-flight) at CERN opens wide possibilities in measurements of neutron induced reaction cross sections. The facility with its excellent energy resolution of neutrons, low repetition rate and most important – with a very high instantaneous luminosity, makes up an extra challenge for experimenters faced by doing measurements at a high peak intensity spallation source. Our proposition is directed to the use of a compensated ionization chamber for the (n, alpha) reaction cross section measurements we plan to carry out in a wide range of neutron energy. First experience gained with using such a kind of detector at ORELA (the Oak Ridge Electron Linear Accelerator) neutron source (ORNL) was very optimistic.