Photo-neutron cross-section calculations of 142,143,144,145,146,150Nd rare-earth isotopes for (γ, n) reaction

Abstract

The theoretical photo-neutron cross sections for (γ, n) reaction have been calculated on 142,143,144,145,146,150Nd rare-earth isotopes at photon energies of 8–23 MeV using the PCROSS, TALYS 1.2, and EMPIRE 3.1 computer codes. TALYS 1.2 two-component exciton model and EMPIRE 3.1 exciton model has been used to calculate the pre-equilibrium photo-neutron cross sections. PCROSS Weisskopf-Ewing model has been used for the reaction equilibrium cross-section calculations. The obtained cross sections have been compared with each other and against the experimental values existing in the EXFOR database. Generally, pre-equilibrium model cross-section calculations are in good agreement with the experimental data for all reactions along the incident photon energy in this study.