Measurement and analysis of excitation functions for the reactions 165Ho(α, xn) (x = 1-3) in the energy range ≈ 10–40 MeV

Abstract

Excitation functions for the reactions 165Ho(α, n)168Tm, 165Ho(α, 2n)167Tm and 165Ho(α, 3n)166Tm have been measured in the energy range ≈ 10–40 MeV using the stacked foil activation technique and gamma ray spectroscopy. Excitation functions have also been calculated theoretically using the semi-classical pre-equilibrium as well as quantum mechanical statistical multistep models. The calculations have been performed using a consistent/global set of parameters. A comparison of excitation functions with the semi-classical pre-equilibrium and quantum mechanical statistical multistep calculations is presented. Interesting trends in the pre-equilibrium fraction with projectile energy have been observed.