Activation cross section and isomeric cross section ratios for the ( n,2n ) reaction on Eu153

Abstract

The $^{153}\mathrm{Eu}(n,2n)^{152}\mathrm{Eu}^{\mathrm{m}1,\mathrm{m}2,g}$ cross section was measured by means of the activation technique at three neutron energies in the range 13--15 MeV. The quasimonoenergetic neutron beam was formed via the $^{3}\mathrm{H}(d,n)^{4}\mathrm{He}$ reaction, in the Pd-300 Neutron Generator at the Chinese Academy of Engineering Physics (CAEP). The activities induced in the reaction products were measured using high-resolution \ensuremath{\gamma}-ray spectroscopy. The cross section of the population of the second high-spin (${8}^{\ensuremath{-}}$) isomeric state was measured along with the reaction cross section populating both the ground (${3}^{\ensuremath{-}}$) and the first isomeric state (${0}^{\ensuremath{-}}$). Cross sections were also evaluated theoretically using the numerical code TALYS-1.8, with different level density options at neutron energies varying from the reaction threshold to 20 MeV. Results are discussed and compared with the corresponding literature.