Determination of (n,γ) cross sections in the rare-earth region using the surrogate ratio method

Abstract

The surrogate ratio method was used to convert experimentally determined relative {gamma}-decay probabilities for excited {sup 171}Yb and {sup 161}Dy nuclei, populated using ({sup 3}He, {sup 3}He{sup '}) and ({sup 3}He, {alpha}) reactions, into neutron-induced {gamma}-decay cross sections in an equivalent neutron energy range of 165-465 keV. The relative {gamma}-decay probabilities were measured using the CACTUS array at the Oslo Cyclotron Laboratory and were found to agree with the ratio of neutron-induced {gamma}-decay cross sections for the same compound nuclei over the range of excitation energies measured. No significant entrance-channel effects on the extracted (n,{gamma}) cross sections were observed. The cross sections obtained using the surrogate ratio method were compared to directly measured neutron-capture cross sections and found to agree within the total estimated uncertainty over the range of equivalent neutron energies measured.