Theoretical Cross-Section Calculations for the ($$\mathbf{\alpha}$$, $$\boldsymbol{n}$$) and ($$\mathbf{\alpha}$$, $$\boldsymbol{2n}$$) Reactions on $${}^{\mathbf{46}}$$Ti, $${}^{\mathbf{50}}$$Cr, $${}^{\mathbf{54}}$$Fe, and $${}^{93}$$Nb Isotopes

Abstract

The employment of the fusion mechanism for the energy production is a promising solution to the continuously growing global energy demand. The correct material selection for this cutting edge technology is just as important as the efforts to understand the related nuclear reaction mechanisms. A value which is relevant to nuclear reactions and is of considerable importance is the cross-section of the reaction. Among many parameters, which affect the theoretical calculations of this quantity, level density models and alpha optical model potentials have played an important role, due to their direct effects on the calculations. By considering the importance of the materials used in the fusion technology and the aforementioned parameters, the aim of this work is to study the effects of level density models, alpha optical model potentials and their combinational usage in the cross-section theoretical calculations on the alpha particle induced reactions for $${}^{46}$$ Ti, $${}^{50}$$ Cr, $${}^{54}$$ Fe and $${}^{93}$$ Nb isotopes. The examined reaction routes are limited to the alpha particle induced single and double neutron emitting reactions. All calculations were performed by using the 1.9 version of the TALYS code, in which six level density models and eight alpha optical model potentials are available. The results of the present work are compared with the existing literature data, taken from the Experimental Nuclear Reaction Database (EXFOR) library, by performing a mean weighted deviation analysis calculation. The more consistent results in comparison with the experimental data were obtained with the combinational use of the models.