Systematics of angular-dependent neutron production by 585 MeV protons on targets with12 ≤ A ≤ 238: Differential cross section measurements

Double differential cross sections $d^2$σ/dΩ${\mathrm{dT}}_{\mathrm{n}}$ for the production of neutrons from 585 MeV proton bombardment of C, Al, Fe, Nb, In, Ta, Pb, and U targets have been measured at emission angles of 30°, 90°, and 150° and for neutron kinetic energies between 0.9 and 585 MeV (all quantities in the laboratory system). The measured cross sections are compared with previous experimental results from other laboratories. The experimental energy-dependent cross sections all reveal a clear two-component structure with contributions from evaporation processes and intranuclear cascade reactions. For heavy and medium weight target nuclei the data in the evaporation region are indicative of an isotropic angular distribution in the zero linear momentum coordinate system. Data in the cascade energy region are strongly forward peaked, and the fraction of cascade neutrons increases with decreasing emission angle. This fraction also increases with decreasing mass number.