Activation Cross Sections of Neutron Threshold Reactions on Some Zirconium Isotopes in the 5.4- to 10.6-MeV Energy Range

Abstract

Cross sections have been measured in the 5.4- to 10.6-MeV energy range for the {sup 90}Zr(n,p){sup 90m}Y, {sup 91}Zr(n,p){sup 91m}Y, {sup 92}Zr(n,p){sup 92}Y, {sup 90}Zr(n,{alpha}){sup 87m}Sr, {sup 94}Zr(n,{alpha}){sup 91}Sr, and {sup 96}Zr(n,2n){sup 95}Zr reactions. The quasi-monoenergetic neutrons were produced via the {sup 2}H(d,n){sup 3}He reaction using a deuterium gas target at a variable energy compact cyclotron. Use was made of the activation technique in combination with high-resolution gamma-ray spectroscopy. Some trends in the excitation functions are discussed.