Excitation functions for (p, n) and (p, 2n) interactions in Sc, Cr, Mo, Cd and W between 8 and 14 MeV

Abstract

Using a large liquid scintillator, we have measured neutron production in Sc, Cr, Mo, Cd and W by the interaction of 8–14 MeV protons. The (p, n) cross section in Sc is practically constant over the energy range studied. Moreover, the rapid rise that is frequently observed in the (p, 2n) cross section above threshold is noticeably absent in this element. Although the maximum energy used is almost 2 MeV above the 45Sc(p, 2n) energetic threshold, the (p, 2n) cross section is too small to be measurable by our technique. We estimate that it is ≦ 10 mb at 14 MeV. The data were analysed in terms of statistical theory. Two different forms of the nuclear level density function ω were employed. In most cases we found that ω = const exp 2(au) 1 2 /u 2 gave somewhat better agreement with experiment than did ω = const exp 2(au) 1 2 .