Abstract
The $^{162}\mathrm{Er}(n,2n)^{161}\mathrm{Er}$ reaction cross section (${E}_{th}=9.26\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}\mathrm{MeV}$) was measured at six incident neutron beam energies by means of the activation technique. Two energy regions were covered in the present work: the near-threshold energies between 10.7 and 11.3 MeV, as well as the higher energies from 17.1 up to 19.0 MeV. In this way, the energy range from the reaction threshold up to 19 MeV was experimentally mapped, considering also the existing experimental information around 14 MeV. The quasi-monoenergetic neutron beam at near-threshold energies was produced via the $^{2}\mathrm{H}(d,n)^{3}\mathrm{He}$ reaction, while the higher neutron beam energies were achieved by using the $^{3}\mathrm{H}(d,n)^{4}\mathrm{He}$ reaction. The primary deuteron beam was delivered in both cases by the 5.5 MV Tandem Van de Graaff accelerator of NSCR ``Demokritos.'' Statistical model calculations were performed and compared with all the available experimental data.
Highlights
Neutron induced threshold reactions are in general of special interest for basic research purposes, as well as for the development of nuclear physics applications.In recent years innovative fast neutron reactor designs have been proposed for burning fissile isotopes that can be constituents of the existing nuclear waste, while at the same time nuclear energy can be produced [1,2]
The cross section of the (n, 2n) reaction on 162Er has been determined for incident neutron energies in the ranges 10.7–11.3 and 17.1–19.0 MeV, using the activation technique
To overcome the problem of the low abundance of 162Er (0.139%) in natural Er, the induced activity was measured by two 100% high-purity germanium (HPGe) detectors in close geometry in order to increase the detection efficiency of the system
Summary
Neutron induced threshold reactions are in general of special interest for basic research purposes, as well as for the development of nuclear physics applications. In recent years innovative fast neutron reactor designs have been proposed for burning fissile isotopes that can be constituents of the existing nuclear waste, while at the same time nuclear energy can be produced [1,2]. In order to validate the theoretical estimations and improve the parametrization of the statistical model calculations, the experimental mapping of the 162Er(n, 2n)161Er excitation function is needed for an extended energy region. For this reason, within the present work the 162Er(n, 2n)161Er reaction cross section was studied, for the first time, at near-threshold energies between 10.7 and 11.3 MeV, as well as at higher energies from 17.1 up to 19.0 MeV. Experimental results are discussed and compared with statistical model calculations performed by the following codes: TALYS (v. 1.8) [16], EMPIRE (v. 3.2.2) [17], and MECO [18]
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