DANCE Device for Measurement of (n, γ) Reactions on Radioactive Species

DANCE (Device for Advanced Neutron Capture Experiments) is a 4π162 element BaF2array under development at Los Alamos National Laboratory. It is designed to provide high granularity, fast timing and high photon detection efficiency. It will be located at the Los Alamos Neutron Scattering Center where neutrons are produced using 800 MeV proton induced spallation reactions on heavy element production targets. Using the pulsed high neutron fluence available at this facility combined with time of flight techniques it will be possible to make neutron capture measurements in the neutron energy range from eV to 100’s of keV on rare and radioactive target material at the milligram and below level. These measurements will provide critically needed data for the interpretation of the astrophysical s-process “branching point” nuclei as well as information for reactions needed in understanding transmutation processes of radioactive species.