Measurement of the $^{19}$F($\alpha$,n) Cross Section for Nuclear Safeguards Science

A precise measurement of the $^{19}$F($\alpha$,n) cross section will improve Non Destructive Assays (NDA) of UF$_{6}$ and other actinide-fluoride samples via neutron detection techniques. The cross section will be determined with two complementary approaches. We have already bombarded a LaF$_{3}$ target with a pulsed $^4$He beam from the Notre Dame FN tandem accelerator; next, we will send a fluorine beam from the ORNL tandem through a pure helium gas target. The neutron spectra from both of these reactions will be measured using the Versatile Array of Neutron Detectors at Low Energy (VANDLE), and coincident $\gamma$ rays with a HPGe detector. We report here on data taken with VANDLE and a HPGe detector on a LaF$_{3}$ target. This poster outlines the motivation for this experiment, explains the stages of this experiment, and presents both of our experimental setups and preliminary data.