Interaction of Fast Neutrons with Nitrogen

Using neutrons from the Li⁷(p,n)Be⁷ reaction, the cross sections for the reactions N¹⁴(n,p)C¹⁴ and N¹⁴(n,α)B¹¹ were measured for neutron energies from 150 to 2100 kev. Resonances for the ($n,p$) reaction were found at 499, 640, 993, and 1415 kev; for the (n,α) reaction at 1415 and 1800 kev. Information was obtained about the excited state of Be⁷. It was found to lie 431±{}5 kev above the ground state, and probabilities for its formation in the Li(p,n) reaction were determined.