Abstract
The 197 Au(n,2n)196 Au reaction cross section has been measured at two energies, namely at 17.1 MeV and 20.9 MeV, by means of the activation technique, relative to the 27 Al(n,α)24 Na reference reaction cross section. Quasi-monoenergetic neutron beams were produced at the 5.5 MV Tandem T11/25 accelerator laboratory of NCSR “Demokritos”, by means of the 3 H(d,n)4 He reaction, implementing a new Ti-tritiated target of ∼ 400 GBq activity. The induced γ-ray activity at the targets and reference foils has been measured with HPGe detectors. The cross section for the population of the second isomeric (12− ) state m2 of 196 Au was independently determined. Auxiliary Monte Carlo simulations were performed using the MCNP code. The present results are in agreement with previous experimental data and with theoretical calculations of the measured reaction cross sections, which were carried out with the use of the EMPIRE code.
Highlights
The neutron beam was produced at the 5.5 MV tandem T11/25 Accelerator of NCSR “Demokritos” by means of the 3H(d,n)4He reaction, implementing a new Ti-tritiated target of ∼400 GBq activity
Theoretical cross section calculations in the energy range between 7 and 50 MeV were performed by means of the EMPIRE code [18]
The new measurements performed by means of the activation technique, relative to the 27Al(n,α)24Na reference reaction cross section
Summary
Accurate neutron-induced reaction cross section data is of considerable importance for fundamental research in Nuclear Physics and Astrophysics as well as for practical applications in nuclear technology, medicine and industry [1, 2]. A lot of cross section data exist in the energy region up to MeV, more experimental data is needed, especially for the second isomeric state (m2) at higher energies, above MeV, where the preequilibrium emission becomes important and additional reaction channels are open. The purpose of this work was the experimental determination of the cross section of the reaction channels 197Au(n,2n)196Au and 197Au(n,2n)196Aum at incident neutron energies 17.1 and 20.9 MeV, implementing the activation technique. The second isomeric state (m2), at 595.7 keV excitation energy, decays to the ground state via several transitions with the 147.8 keV and 188.3 keV being the most intense ones and are used for the determination of its population by the 197Au(n,2n) reaction
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