Study of neutron induced charged particle reactions on 40K: (I). Thermal neutrons

The (n_th, α) (n_th, p) and (n_th, γα) reactions spectroscopical data are reported on ⁴⁰K and ¹⁴³Nd. For ⁴⁰K, values of σ_α = 0.39 ± 0.08 b, σ_p = 4.4 ± 0.9 b, σ_γα = 26 ± 4 mb are obtained and accurate measurements of E_α0 = 3491.7 ± 7 keV and E_po = 2232.9 ± 3 keV have been performed, α₁, and p₁ transitions and the ⁴⁰K(n_th, γp) reaction have not been observed. The ⁴⁰K(n_th, γα)³⁷Cl and ¹⁴³Nd(n_th, γα)¹⁴⁰Ce spectra are presented. The multipolarity of the primary low energy γ-rays is deduced from the γ-α spectra.