Photo-neutron Cross Section Calculations of Several Structural Fusion Materials

Abstract

In this study, the theoretical photo-neutron cross-sections produced by (γ,n) reactions for several structural fusion materials such as 51V, 55Mn, 58Ni, 90,91,92,94Zr, and 181Ta have been investigated in the incident energy range of 7–40 MeV. Reaction cross-sections as a function of photon energy have been calculated theoretically using the PCROSS and TALYS 1.2 computer codes. TALYS 1.2 default and pre-equilibrium models have been used to calculate the pre-equilibrium photo-neutron cross-sections. For the reaction equilibrium component, PCROSS Weisskopf-Ewing model calculations have been preferred. The calculated results have been compared with each other and against the experimental data in the existing databases EXFOR and TENDL-2011. PCROSS Weisskopf-Ewing model calculations show a similar structure with experimental data but they are higher than the experimental values for all reactions except for 90Zr(γ,n)89Zr reaction. Generally, TALYS 1.2 default and pre-equilibrium model cross-section calculations are the best agreement with the experimental data for all reactions except for 58Ni(γ,n)57Ni reaction along the incident photon energy in this study. The TALYS 1.2 curves fit the TENDL-2011 data the best. If photo-neutron cross-section data is needed for an isotope where there is no experimental data available for comparison, TALYS 1.2 pre-equilibrium option has been recommended.