Differential cross sections for $^{13}$C($\alpha$,n)$^{16}$O reaction*

The reaction $^{13}$C($\alpha$,n)$^{16}$O is the major source of correlated background in the prompt energy spectrum obtained at KamLAND$^{1}$. The source of $\alpha$-particles is the decay of $^{210}$Po. In the $\alpha$-particle energy range from 2.5 and 5.4 MeV there are more than 20 resonances present in the ($\alpha$,n) excitation function. To reduce the uncertainties, a high precision measurement of the differential cross section data for $^{13}$C($\alpha$,n) was made. The $\alpha$-particle beam was produced at the TUNL Tandem accelerator and directed onto self-supporting 100 to 200 $\mu$g/cm$^{2}$ thick $^{13}$C targets. Outgoing neutrons were detected in eight LS detectors placed at lab angles between 23$^{\circ}$ and 150$^{\circ}$ and identified by pulse shape discrimination. The differential cross section data will be presented and normalization techniques will be discussed.