The 57Fe(n, γ)58Fe reaction

Abstract

The circular polarization of γ-rays from the capture of polarized thermal neutrons in an isotopically enriched target of 57Fe has been measured. The analysis of 19 primary transitions resulted in unambiguous spin assignments for 14 bound states of 58Fe. For five of these, at Ex = 4.02, 4.14, 4.32, 4.36 and 4.44 MeV, all with Jπ = 1+, no spin assignments have been reported previously. The γ-ray energies and intensities of these transitions have been measured. The 57Fe(n, γ) reaction Q-value was determined to be 10044.6 ± 1.0 keV. A significant correlation between the (d, p) strength and the (n, γ) reduced transition strength has been found for p-bound states with Ex = 0–5 MeV.