Resonance neutron capture in 56Fe

The neutron capture cross section of ⁵⁶Fe has been measured with 0.2–0.3% energy resolution from 2.5 keV up to the inelastic neutron scattering threshold. Results are compared with recent total cross-section data and average parameters are derived for s-, p- and d-wave resonances. The low correlation coefficient observed between the s-wave reduced neutron and radiative widths is consistent with the minor contribution of the valence capture mechanism as calculated in the framework of the optical model. Broad E1 and M1 doorway states for s-, p- and d-wave resonances are postulated to explain the cross-section data and γ-ray spectra up to 1 MeV.     

Resonance neutron capture gamma rays in 177Hf

Primary capture γ-rays have been studied for 38 ¹⁷⁷Hf neutron resonances with energies in the range 1–165 eV. Intensities were measured for 29 transitions ending at states with an excitation energy in ¹⁷⁸Hf up to 2050 keV. The analysis was facilitated by the previous knowledge of the spin and parity of all neutron resonances and of most low-lying states. For nine final levels, which had not previously been seen, information on J and π was deduced from the corresponding average intensities. The distribution of partial widths was fitted with a χ² function with ν = 1.38_?0.13^+0.18 degrees of freedom for E1 radiation and ν = 1.5_?0.40^+0.60 for M1 radiation. The average El reduced photon strength was found to be $\text{S}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>El</mtext>}}\text{= 〈Γ}{}_{\mathrm{\gamma itij}}\text{/DE}{}_{\mathrm{\gamma }}{}^5\text{〉A}{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>?8</mtext><mtext>3</mtext>}}\text{= (4.8 ± 1.0) × 10}{}^{\mathrm{?15}}\text{MeV}{}^{\mathrm{?5}}$ and the ratio between El and Ml intensities equal to 5.5 ± 1.4. A comparison of this value for the El strength with those reported for other nuclei with A$\text{\$}\text{?}$= 100 showed that the intensities follow the A-dependence predicted by the Brink-Axel model. A non-statistical effect was observed, consisting of an enhancement of El transition probalilities to K = 2, 3 final states as compared to K = 0, 4 states.     

Resonance neutron capture in 52Cr

Neutron capture γ-ray measurements have been performed upon a natural sample of Cr. Twenty-six γ-rays were observed from the 1626 eV resonance of the ⁵²Cr(n, γ)⁵³Cr reaction, and twenty-four of them were assigned to a level scheme. A value of $\text{3}\text{2}$^? was determined for the spin-parity of this resonance. The neutron separation energy, derived from a separate thermal measurement with an enriched (99.9 %) ⁵²Cr sample was determined to be 7939.1 ± 0.2 keV. The high (n, γ) (d, p) correlation found for thermal capture is absent for the p-resonance, however the γ-ray intensities from thermal and resonance capture are correlated, with r = 0.86_?0.11^+0.06.     

Resonant neutron capture in 40Ca

The neutron capture cross section of ⁴⁰Ca has been measured with ≈ 0.2 % energy resolution below E_n = 300 keV. Resonance parameters have been extracted for many new p- and d-wave resonances. Gamma-ray spectra were also measured following capture in one doublet and two resolved resonances below 50 keV. Strong feeding of low-lying p-wave levels was observed in all cases. Calculations showed that valence transitions were inadequate to account for the observed dominance of these transitions and a further mechanism is required. The average resonance parameters obtained from the data are as follows: 〈D〉 = 37 + 4keV, 10⁴S₁ = 0.16 ± 0.05, 10⁴S₂ = 2.0 ± 0.7. The average radiative widths and standard deviations of their distributions were found to be strongly l-dependent as follows: 〈Γ_γ〉_s = 1.5 ± 0.9 eV, 〈Γ_γ〉_p = 0.36 ± 0.09 eV and 〈Γ_γ〉_d = 0.7 ± 0.4 eV.     

Non-statistical effects in neutron capture γ-ray spectra

A search for non-statistical effects in γ-ray spectra following neutron capture has been made for incident neutron energies in the range 40 keV to 1 MeV. The experiments were performed using a 20 cm × 15 cm Nal detector; thirty elements ranging from calcium to uranium were examined. Marked non-statistical effects were found in the spectra from elements in the mass regions where the 3s, 3p and 4s neutron strength functions maximize. Results from the first two regions could often be explained in terms of enhanced transition strengths to final states with a strong single-particle nature.     

Fast neutron capture cross-section measurements of rare-earth nuclei

Measurements of neutron radiative-capture cross sections have been made using a Moxon-Rae detector and time-of-flight techniques. Cross-section ratios to In were determined for Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Yb, Lu and Ta for 30, 65, 165 and 300 MeV neutron energies.     

Measurement of cross sections for 14 MeV neutron capture

Activation cross sections for neutron capture have been measured at an energy of 14.6 ± 0.2 MeV relative to $\text{σ(}{}^{27}\text{Al}\text{(}\text{n}\text{,α)}{}^{24}\text{Na}\text{) = 114.2}\text{mb}\text{± 1.2\%}$ for the nuclei ³⁷Cl, ¹⁴K, ⁵⁰Ti, ⁵¹V, ⁵⁵Mn, ⁷¹Ga, ⁸⁷Rb, ⁸⁹Y, ¹²⁷I, ¹³⁰Te, ¹³⁸Ba, ¹³⁹La, ¹⁴²Ce, ¹⁸⁶W, ¹⁹⁸Pt,¹⁹⁷Au. Gamma-ray spectra of the product nuclei were measured with a Ge(Li) detector. Special attention was paid to taking into account all possible sources of error, especially contributions of lower energy neutrons. It seems to be shown that consistent results can be obtained for the cross sections for 14 MeV neutron capture if one properly takes into account the influence of lower energy neutrons even in cases where the relevant correction is large. In particular results from activation measurements agree well with results obtained by the method of integrated γ-spectra.     

Gamma rays from resonance neutron capture in 115In

Gamma rays in the range 5.4–6.7 MeV have been studied for 31 s-wave neutron resonances of ¹¹⁵In, selected by time of flight in the range 3–430 eV. In a subsidiary experiment, spin J = 5 has been assigned to 17 and J = 4 to 14 resonances by measuring intensity variations of some strong low-energy transitions. The reduced widths averaged over all initial states of the same spin have been estimated for 41 primary transitions: these values have provided information on the spin and parity of the corresponding ¹¹⁶In final states. Overall mean values of E1 and M1 radiative strength have been calculated. The width distribution has been fitted with a χ² function with ν = 1.10^+0.27_?0.09 degrees of freedom for M1 and ν = 1.42 ^{+ 0.014}_?0.08 for E1 radiation. An estimate of the spin cut-off parameter σ = 3.6_?0.4^{+ 0.8} has been derived. A non-statistical effect already evidenced in previous measurements has been confirmed, consisting of a strong modulation of the radiative strength against resonance energy, correlated also with the local neutron strength function. In addition, it has now been shown that this structure is due to E1 radiation only.     

Rotational states in 151Nd populated through thermal neutron capture

The level scheme in the nucleus ¹⁵¹ Nd has been studied following neutron capture by observing the γ-rays and conversion electrons with curved-crystal spectrometers, a Ge(Li) detector and a β-spectrometer. A comprehensive level scheme up to ? 1 MeV was established. It is shown that the present level scheme energies differ from those previously found in a ¹⁵⁰Nd(d, p) reaction study by a systematic shift of 27 keV. The binding energy of the last neutron in ¹⁵¹Nd was deduced. For most levels spin and parity values are proposed and an identification of bands with Nilsson-model configurations is given.     

Gamma-ray spectra and level structure of Cr from thermal neutron capture in Cr

Gamma-ray measurements have been made of the ⁵⁴Cr(n, γ)⁵⁵ Cr reaction at the Livermore reactor. Spectra were taken with Ge(Li) Compton-suppression and pair-coincidence spectrometers. A total of 83 observed γ-rays are attributed to capture in ⁵⁴Cr, of which 26 are assigned to specific transitions among 10 inferred levels in ⁵⁵Cr. The neutron binding energy is determined to be 6246.3 ± 0.4 keV.     

Angular distributions of γ-rays from fast neutron capture in strontium and yttrium

Gamma-ray spectra from neutron capture in natural samples of strontium and yttrium have been recorded at various angles with respect to the direction of the incident neutron flux. Angular yields have been observed at six neutron energies in the range 7 to 11 MeV using time-of-flight techniques to improve the signal-to-background ratio. The γ-radiation was detected by a large NaI(Tl) crystal placed in a heavy radiation shield. Certain combinations of Legendre polynomial coefficients were extracted for transitions to low-lying single-particle states ($\text{2}\text{d}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>5</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ and $\text{3}\text{s}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>1</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$) in the final nuclei. The energy dependence of the angular distribution coefficients indicates interference between the electric dipole amplitude and amplitudes of opposite parity. The results are compared with theoretical calculations based on the direct-semidirect model.     

The neutron total and capture cross sections of 92, 94Zr

The neutron total and capture cross sections of^92,94Zr have been measured at the 80 and 40 m flight stations, respectively, on the Oak Ridge Electron Linear Accelerator (ORELA). Resonance analysis of the total cross sections gave values of s, $\text{p}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>3</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ and $\text{p}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>1</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ strength functions. Strong intermediate structure was observed in the $\text{p}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>3</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ cross section of ⁹²Zr. Significant single particle transitions identified in the p-wave capture cross section indicate the importance of the valence process for both nuclei. It is noted that the intermediate structure in the $\text{p}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>3</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ total cross section leads to enhanced valence effects in the capture cross section. The effects of non statistical E1 transitions following particle-hole annihilation in the compound states were not observed in either the ⁹²Zr or ⁹⁴Zr capture cross sections as they had been in that for ⁹⁰Zr.     

Properties of nuclear levels excited by neutron capture γ-rays from cobalt

Neutron capture γ-rays from cobalt have been used to photoexcite nuclear levels in the 5–8 MeV region. The decay properties of the 7491 keV level in ⁵⁵Mn and the 6877 keV level in ¹⁴²Nd were studied in detail. Total and partial radiative widths of nuclear levels in several isotopes were determined using nuclear self-absorption, temperature variation, and absolute scattering cross section measurements. The total radiative widths were found to be of the same magnitude as those of unbound levels populated in neutron resonances. The spins and parities of some resonance levels were determined by carrying out angular distribution and polarization measurements, respectively.     

Average neutron resonance parameters and radiative capture cross sectins for the isotopes of molybdenum

The neutron capture cross sections of the stable molybdenum isotopes have been measured with high energy resolution (ΔE/E ? 0.2 %), between 3 and 90 keV neutron energy, at the 40 m station of ORELA. Average resonance parameters are extracted for s- and p-wave resonances. The s-wave neutron strength function is close to 0.5 × 10^?4 for all isotopes, but the p-wave strength function exhibits a well defined peak near At~ 95.Both s- and p-wave radiative widths decrease markedly as further neutrons are added to the closed shell. The p-wave radiative widths are generally greater than the s-wave widths showing the presence of non-statistical γ-decay mechanisms.Valence neutron theory fails to explain the magnitude of the p- to s-wave radiative width disparity and doorway state processes are invoked. In particular, the data for ⁹⁸Mo appear to violate the usual valence theory, since the correlations between radiative and neutron strengths are small. Further, the radiative widths are smaller than can be explained on the valence model. An explanation for the loss of valence strength is advanced.Interpolated resonance parameters allow an estimate for the unknown cross section for ⁹⁹Mo(n, γ).     

Study of 191Os by average resonance neutron capture: Fragmentation of Nilsson model strength

The ¹⁹⁰Os(n, γ)¹⁹¹Os reaction was studied with the average resonance neutron capture technique at a neutron energy centered on 2 keV. Thermal capture data were also recorded. Primary transitions to states up to an excitation energy of ≈ 1700 keV were detected. From the average capture data it appears possible to distinguish E1 from M1 multipolarities and thereby to map out the $\text{1}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{?}}\text{,}\text{3}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{?}}$ states in ¹⁹¹Os. By elimination, it is possible to treat the $\text{J}{}_{\mathrm{\pi }}\text{≠}\text{1}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{?}}$$\text{3}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{?}}$ states as well, albeit with greater uncertainty. Combination of these results with existing data from the (d, p) reaction allows an extension of earlier treatments of the fragmentation of Nilsson strength in this mass region. Although other mechanisms may also suffice it is possible to qualitatively interpret the complex fragmentation systematics in terms of a simple model of large hexadecapole deformations varying in a reasonable manner.     

Doubly radiative thermal neutron capture in 2H and 16O: Experiment and theory

Measurements and calculations are presented for the cross sections for two-photon emission following thermal neutron capture in ²H and ¹⁶O. Upper limits for σ_2γ were measured in both cases. For ²H, σ_2λ = 8 ± 15 μb, for γ-rays in the energy region 700 < E_γ < 5550 keV. A detailed threeparticle calculation gives σ_2γ^tot = 26 nb. For ¹⁶O, the experimental result is σ_2γ = 3 ± 19 μb for 1200 < E_γ < 2943 keV. A single-particle, direct-capture calculation for ¹⁶O gives σ_2γ^tot = 41 nb. Contributions from excitation of the giant dipole state of the core change this result by ± 16 %. In a separate measurement the total cross section for ¹⁶O(n, γ)¹⁷O was measured to be 202 ± 28 μb. Branching ratios of (82 ± 3)% and (18 ± 3)% were determined for decays to the 3055 and 871 keV levels of ¹⁷O, respectively.     

Collective and two-quasiparticle states in 158Gd observed through study of radiative neutron capture in 157Gd

The level structure of ¹⁵⁸Gd has been studied using the prompt γ-rays and conversion electrons emitted following neutron capture in ¹⁵⁷Gd. The γ-ray energy and intensity measurements were made using both Ge(Li) detectors and a curved-crystal spectrometer. Conversion-electron energy and intensity measurements were made using two separate magnetic spectrometers: one to measure the primary electron spectrum and the other to measure the lower energy secondary electron spectrum. Some γ-γ coincidence measurements were also made among the secondary γ-rays. From these data, a neutron separation energy of 7937.1 ± 0.5 keV has been determined for ¹⁵⁸Gd. A level scheme containing 59 excited states with energies < 2.25 MeV, for which de-excitation modes have been identified, is proposed for ¹⁵⁸Gd. Many of these states have been grouped into rotational bands. A total of thirteen excited rotational bands with band-head energies below 2.0 MeV are contained in the level scheme. Features of the proposed level scheme include: the K^π = 0^?, 1^? and 2^? octupole-vibrational bands with band-head energies of 1263, 977 and 1793 keV, respectively; the γ-vibrational band at 1187 keV; three excited K^π = 0⁺ bands with band-head energies of 1196, 1452 and 1743 keV; several two-quasiparticle bands with band-head energies in keV (and K^π assignments) of 1380 (4⁺), 1636 (4^?), 1847 (1⁺), 1856 (1^?), 1920 (4⁺) and 1930 (1⁺). An analysis of (d, p) reaction data is presented which permits definite two-quasiparticle configuration assignments to be made to most of these latter bands. Evidence is presented which suggests strong mixing of some two-neutron and two-proton bands. A phenomenological four-band mixing analysis is made of the energy and E2 transition-probability data for the ground-state band and the three lowest-lying excited collective positive-parity bands. Good agreement with experiment is obtained. A Coriolis-mixing analysis of the octupole bands has been carried out and good agreement with the data on level energies and E1 transition probabilities to the ground-state band has been achieved. Values of Z, the ratio of the E1 transition matrix element with ΔK = 1 to that with ΔK = 0, involving the octupole bands and the first four 0⁺ bands are derived. For three of these 0⁺ bands, absolute values of these matrix elements are deduced. An interesting alternation in the sign of Z is observed for these four 0⁺ bands.     

Isomer-shift analogue in neutron resonances

For the first time, the recently predicted chemical shift of neutron resonances, to be regarded as an analogue to the Mössbauer isomer shift, has been experimentally observed studying the 6.67 eV resonance of ²³⁸U. The experimental shifts were determined by a chi-square fitting technique from the time-of-flight transmission spectra of metallic uranium and four uranium compounds measured at the Dubna IBR-30 pulsed reactor. A computational method has been applied to estimate, and compensate for, the influence of the crystal-lattice vibrations on the experimental values thus obtained. The electron density differences at the nucleus have been calculated for the various sample pairs using available data on chemical X-ray shifts in uranium compounds, on Mössbauer isomer shifts in isovalent neptunium compounds and on free-ion electron densities. The resonance shift results lead to the conclusion that the mean-square charge radius of ²³⁸U diminishes by 1.7_?0.8^+1.2 fm² upon capturing the resonance neutron.     

Gamma-rays following muon capture

The energy and intensity of γ-rays following capture of muons by Si, Ti, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Y, Ag and Au were measured with a Ge(Li) detector. In most cases it was possible to identify the final nucleus from the energy of the γ-ray observed. In general, this showed that one or more neutrons were emitted in the initial stages of de-excitation. In the case of capture by Fe and Ni the evidence pointed to a mode of de-excitation by the emission of a proton and a neutron and in Ti by γ-rays alone. In these measurements it was possible to account for as much as 60% of the muons captured in Co, less in the other elements, and only 15 % in Si.