The (n,2n) excitation function for50Cr and the (n,2n) and (n,p) excitation functions for52Cr

Abstract

The (n,2n) excitation function for 50Cr and the (n,2n) and (n,p) excitation functions for 52Cr have been measured in the energy range 14.2-18.2 MeV. Activation techniques using the mixed-powder method and a Ge(Li) detector gamma-ray spectrometer were utilized in the measurements. Neutrons were produced by the 3H(d,n)4He reaction. Using the 27Al(n, alpha )24Na reaction to monitor the neutron flux, the measured cross section values at the respective neutron energies of 14.2+or-0.2, 15.2+or-0.2, 16.2+or-0.2, 17.2+or-0.2 and 18.2+or-0.2 MeV were found to be 13+or-1, 33+or-3, 56+or-4, 66+or-6 and 78+or-6 mb for the 50Cr(n,2n)49Cr reaction, 285+or-26, 415+or-37, 456+or-40, 456+or-40 and 511+or-48 mb for the 52Cr(n,2n)51Cr reaction and 67+or-6, 63+or-5, 57+or-4, 46+or-5 mb for the 52Cr(n,p)52V reaction. The associated-particle method was also used to determine the neutron flux at 14.2 MeV in order to check the mixed-powder results. The average cross section values for four associated-particle measurements at 14.2 MeV were found to be 14+or-1 mb for the 50Cr(n,2n)49Cr reaction, 284+or-24 mb for the 52Cr(n,2n)51Cr reaction and 70+or-6 mb for the 52Cr(n,p)52V reaction.