Cross section measurements at neutron energies 71 and 112 MeV and energy integrated cross section measurements (0.1 < En < 750 MeV) for the neutron induced reactions O(n,x)10Be, Si(n,x)10Be, and Si(n,x)26Al

Abstract

The cross sections for the reactions O(n,x)10Be, Si(n,x)10Be, and Si(n,x)26Al were measured at neutron energies 71 and 112MeV. The neutron cross sections for O(n,x)10Be are higher than the corresponding proton cross sections at 70–110MeV and the neutron induced cross section for Si(n,x)10Be at 112MeV is slightly higher than the corresponding proton cross section. Cross sections for the production of 26Al from Si are similar to those from protons at low energies (<40MeV) while at higher energies the measured neutron cross sections for Si(n,x)26Al are lower than the corresponding proton cross sections. Energy integrated (average) cross sections for these reactions were measured using ‘white’ neutron beams (0.1<En<750MeV). The 26Al/10Be production rate ratio from SiO2 measured using ‘white’ neutrons is considerably lower than that observed in terrestrial quartz (SiO2).