Cross sections of (n,p), (n, α) and (n,2n) reactions on some isotopes of zirconium in the neutron energy range of 10–12 MeV and integral tests of differential cross section data using a 14 MeV d(Be) neutron spectrum

Abstract

Cross sections were measured for the 90Zr(n, α) 87mSr, 90Zr(n,2n) 89m,gZr, 91Zr(n,p) 91mY, 92Zr(n,p) 92Y, 94Zr(n, α) 91Sr and 96Zr(n,2n) 95Zr reactions over the neutron energy range of 11.4 to 12.4 MeV and for the 94Zr(n,p) 94Y reaction from 9.2 to 12.4 MeV. Nuclear model calculations were performed up to 16 MeV. The statistical model incorporating precompound effects reproduces excitation functions of the three major threshold reactions, namely (n,p), (n, α) and (n,2n), quite well. Spectrum–averaged cross sections were measured using a thick target Be(d,n) neutron field at E d=14 MeV. For the same neutron field averaged reaction cross sections were deduced using the excitation functions measured in this work as well as those given in the ENDF/B-VI, JEF−2, JENDL−3.2, BROND and ADL−3 data files. A comparison of the experimental and deduced integral data helped validating the differential data.