Excitation functions of (n,2n) reactions for stable lead isotopes from reaction threshold to 20 MeV

Abstract

The excitation functions for (n,2n) reactions from reaction threshold to 20MeV on four stable lead isotopes 204Pb, 206Pb, 207Pb and 208Pb were calculated using Talys-1.2 nuclear model code, this essentially involves fitting a set of global parameters. An excellent agreement between the calculated and experimental data is obtained. The level densities and effective imaginary potential were studied to obtain the best fit of the excitation functions. The cross sections were calculated by invoking suitable options for global optical model potential, microscopic level densities from Goriely’s Table, Hauser–Feshbach model for equilibrium calculations, the two-component exciton model by Kalbach for pre-equilibrium calculations in the Talys input file. The results of the present study reveal that the theoretical estimation of the cross sections match fairly well with the experimental data (EXFOR database) as well as with the evaluated data files (ENDF/VII.0, JENDL-4.0, CENDL-3.1). This is of importance to the validation of nuclear model approaches with increased predictive power.