The 33 and 43 MeV (3He, xnγ) exclusive reactions on targets from Zr to Pb

Exclusive neutron spectra for neutron multiplicities x = 3, 4 and 5 have been obtained using the 33 and 43 MeV (³He, xnγ) reactions on targets of Zr, Pd, Sn, Nd, Pt, Au, and Pb. The exclusive spectral shapes vary systematically with the energy available for neutron decay in the initial or precompound nucleus. The (³He, xnγ) reaction differs from the (αxnγ) reaction at the same beam energy per nucleon in its dependence on available energy, target, and incident angular momentum.     

Reliability of the data on the cross sections of the partial photoneutron reaction for <Superscript>63,65</Superscript>Cu and <Superscript>80</Superscript>Se nuclei

The cross sections of partial photoneutron reactions are evaluated for the ^63,65Cu and ⁸⁰Se isotopes. The cross sections are free of systematic uncertainties from shortcomings of the experimental methods for neutron multiplicity sorting based on measurements of neutron energy used in experiments with quasimonoenergetic annihilation photon beams. An experimental-theoretical method is used to evaluate cross sections σ^eval(γ, in)= F_i^theor σ^exp(γ, xn), where ratios F_i^theor = σ^theor(γ, in)/σ^theor(γ, xn) = σ^theor(γ, in)/σ^theor[(γ, 1n) + 2(γ, 2n) + …] are calculated using a combined model of photonuclear reactions, and σ^exp(γ, xn) is the experimental cross section of the neutron yield reaction free from neutron multiplicity sorting problems. The cross sections are evaluated for reactions (γ, 1n) and (γ, 2n) for the ^63,65Cu and ⁸⁰Se isotopes, and for the total photoneutron reaction σ(γ, Sn) = σ[(γ, 1n) + (γ, 2n) + …]. It is shown that noticeable deviations of the experimental cross sections from the evaluated values result from the unreliable sorting of neutrons between the channels with multiplicities 1 and 2.     

New data on (γ, n), (γ, 2n), and (γ, 3n) partial photoneutron reactions

Systematic discrepancies between the results of various experiments devoted to determining cross sections for total and partial photoneutron reactions are analyzed by using objective criteria of reliability of data in terms of the transitional photoneutron-multiplicity function F _i = σ(γ, in)/σ(γ, xn), whose values for i = 1, 2, 3, ... cannot exceed by definition 1.00, 0.50, 0.33, ..., respectively. It was found that the majority of experimental data on the cross sections obtained for (γ, n), (γ, 2n), and (γ, 3n) reactions with the aid of methods of photoneutron multiplicity sorting do not meet objective criteria (in particular, F ₂ > 0.50 for a vast body of data). New data on the cross sections for partial reactions on ¹⁸¹Ta and ²⁰⁸Pb nuclei were obtained within a new experimental-theoretical method that was proposed for the evaluation of cross sections for partial reactions and in which the experimental neutron yield cross section σ ^expt(γ, xn) = σ(γ, n) + 2σ(γ, 2n) + 3σ(γ, 3n) + ..., which is free from problems associated with determining neutron multiplicities, is used simultaneously with the functions F _i ^theor calculated within a combined model of photonuclear reactions.     

Physical criteria for the reliability of data on the photodisintegration of the <Superscript>89</Superscript>Y nucleus

Experimental photonuclear reaction cross sections obtained in experiments using quasimonoenergetic annihilation, monoenergetic tagged photons, and bremsstrahlung γ-radiation are analyzed using physical criteria for the reliability of data on the ⁸⁹Y nucleus. It is found that the reliability of data on the cross sections of partial reactions (γ, 1n) and (γ, 2n), obtained by means of photoneutron multiplicity sorting, is highly doubtful. Reliable cross sections of reactions (γ, 1n) and (γ, 2n) are obtained using the experimental–theoretical method (ETM) for evaluating using both experimental cross sections of neutron yield reaction σ^exp(γ, xn) that are free of neutron multiplicity problems, and theoretically calculated F _i ^theor ratios of the cross sections of definite (i) partial reactions to cross section σ^theor(γ, xn). It is shown that the evaluated cross sections differ noticeably from the experimental data.     

Cross sections of fast neutron induced reactions on selenium isotopes

Cross sections for^{74, 76, 77, 78}Se(n, p)^{74, 76, 77, 78}As,⁷⁶,Se(n,2n)⁷⁵Se and⁸⁰Se(n, α)⁷⁷,Ge reactions have been measured in the energy range from 13.0 to 16.6 MeV by the activation technique using Ge(Li) detectorγ-ray spectroscopy. Samples of selenium of natural isotopic composition were used as targets. The measurements provide information on the evolution of the (n, p) excitation functions with the increasing target neutron number (isotopic effect). The reaction model combining the compound nucleus and the preequilibrium emission processes is used to interpret these three types of reactions. The isotopic trend for the (n, p) reactions due to the neutron-proton competition in the compound nucleus is satisfactorily reproduced. However, a further experimental and theoretical work is needed for a better understanding of the origins of discrepancies which are suggested to be related to the precompound aspects of the assumed reaction model.     

Role of (<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>,2<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>) reactions in transmutation of long-lived fission products

The conditions under which (n,γ) and (n,2n) reactions can help or hinder each other in neutron transmutation of long-lived fission products (LLFPs) are considered. Isotopic and elemental transmutation for the main long-lived fission products, ⁷⁹Se, ⁹³Zr, ⁹⁹Tc, ¹⁰⁷Pd, ¹²⁶Sn, ¹²⁹I, and ¹³⁵Cs, are considered. The effect of (n,2n) reactions on the equilibrium amount of nuclei of the transmuted isotope and the neutron consumption required for the isotope processing is estimated. The aim of the study is to estimate the influence of (n,2n) reactions on efficiency of neutron LLFP transmutation. The code TIME26 and the libraries of evaluated nuclear data ABBN-93, JEF-PC, and JANIS system are applied. The following results are obtained: (1) The effect of (n,2n) reactions on the minimum number of neutrons required for transmutation and the equilibrium amount of LLFP nuclei is estimated. (2) It is demonstrated that, for three LLFP isotopes (¹²⁶Sn, ¹²⁹I, and ¹³⁵Cs), (n,γ) and (n,2n) reactions are partners facilitating neutron transmutation. The strongest effect of (n,2n) reaction is found for ¹²⁶Sn transmutation (reduction of the neutron consumption by 49% and the equilibrium amount of nuclei by 19%).     

Spin alignment of yrast levels populated by pre-equilibrium (α, xnγ) reactions

Angular momenta of yrast levels following pre-equilibrium (α, xnγ) reactions at E_α, = 110 MeV were found to be aligned as well as those following the equilibrium (compound) (α, xnγ) reactions at E_α = 20–50 MeV. They are uniform against the neutron multiplicity x. The degrees of the spin (angular momentum) alignment with rank 2 for the yrast levels with spins 8–12 average about α₂ ≈ 0.87 ± 0.05. The good spin alignment indicates that both the neutron emission and the γ-emission are stretched in angular momentum space. This supports the pre-equilibrium neutron emission process, where the momenta carried away by the neutrons are not in random directions but rather in the beam direction. The result is well reproduced by the pre-equilibrium neutron emission process followed by neutron evaporation and the K-band γ-deexcitation process.     

Experimental study of nuclear processes in the presence of superstrong fields of a picosecond laser plasma

Nuclear processes in the presence of the superstrong laser fields of a picosecond laser plasma are experimentally studied at a radiation intensity of 2 × 10¹⁸ W/cm² on a Neodim laser setup with a power of 10 TW. Experimental data regarding neutron generation on the surface of a deuterated target (CD₂)_n owing to the thermonuclear fusion ²H(d,n)³He and the neutron generation on the Be target due to the photonuclear reaction ⁹Be(γ,n)2α are presented. Neutron yields Y _n of 10⁶ and 10³ per 4π sr per laser pulse are obtained for the (CD₂)_n and Be targets, respectively. The alpha-particle yield is measured for the first time in the neutron-free thermonuclear reactions ¹¹B + H → 3⁴He in the laser plasma on the surface of the composite B + (CH₂)_n targets. The alpha-particle yield is 10³ per 4π sr per laser pulse.     

Z dependence of the (γ, α) reaction yield

Reactions induced by photons may be used as a probe for bonds and correlations of nucleons inside a heavy target nucleus. In contrast to strongly interacting particles, electromagnetic radiation perturbs nucleons only slightly. The yield of (γ, α) reactions could be used to test theoretical models that assume complete alpha-particle clustering or the presence of multiquark objects in heavy nuclei. The relative yields of (γ, n), (γ, p), and (γ, α) reactions were measured at the bremsstrahlung endpoint energy of 23 MeV for several targets. A much lower probability of (γ, α) in relation to (γ, p) reactions was proved despite very close threshold and spin factors for the two reaction types being considered. Therefore, alpha-particle clustering in heavy targets was not confirmed. The mechanism of particle release in nuclear reactions is discussed, and some details are clarified.     

Cross sections of the photoneutron reaction for <Superscript>141</Superscript>Pr and <Superscript>186</Superscript>W nuclei,estimated from physical criteria of data reliability

Using objective physical criteria for data reliability, cross sections of partial photoneutron reactions (γ, 1n), (γ, 2n) and (γ, 3n) that are free of the shortcomings of neutron multiplicity sorting methods used on beams of quasimonoenergetic annihilation photons are obtained for ¹⁴¹Pr and ¹⁸⁶W nuclei. Evaluation is performed using the experimental–theoretical method (ETM), based on the experimental cross section of neutron yield reaction σ^exp(γ, xn) = σ^exp(γ, 1n) + 2 σ^exp(γ, 2ⁿ) + 3 σexp(γ, 3n) + … and ratios F _i ^theor= σ^theor(γ, in)/σ^theor(γ, xn) calculated within the combined model (CM) of photonuclear reactions, which stipulates that σ^eval(γ, in) = F _i ^theor σ^exp(γ, xn). It is found that for ¹⁴¹Pr and ¹⁸⁶W, ratios F ^exp _i do not contradict the data reliability criteria only at energies up to ~21 and ~22 MeV, respectively. At the same time, there are notable discrepancies between F _i ^theor and F ^exp _i, and thus between the evaluated and experimental cross sections of reactions. It is shown that the discrepancies between the evaluated and experimental cross sections are due to the assumed unreliable experimental distribution of neutrons in the channels with multiplicities 1, 2, and 3.     

Excitation of isomeric states in the (γ,n), (n, 2n), and (γ, 2n) reactions on the 113In nucleus

The induced-activity method was used to measure the isomeric ratio of the yields of the (γ, n), (n, 2n), and (γ, 2n) reactions on the ¹¹³In nucleus. The energy dependence of the isomeric ratios of the yields of the photonuclear reactions ¹¹³In(γ, n)^112m,g In and ¹¹³In(γ, 2n)^111m,g In is studied in the energy range of 12–35 MeV.     

Kernphotoprozesse im Sauerstoff und ihre Bedeutung für die Kontrolle der Energie und des Photonenspektrums an Elektronenbeschleunigern

The yields of the photonuclear reactions¹⁶O(γ,n) and¹⁶O(γ, 2n) are measured with a newly constructed device for fluid samples. The well known structures of the (γ,n) cross section are used for the energy calibration of our accelerator. Though the yield should be strongly dependent on small changes of the bremsspectrum no difference was found, using a thin or a thick target. The conclusion is, that also the thick target is in its effect a thin target under the accelerator conditions. The (γ, 2n) cross section is measured for the first time between threshold and 120 MeV. It is unusually small compared to the (γ,n) cross section.     

The Reliability of Cross Sections of Partial Photoneutron Reactions for <Superscript>98</Superscript>Mo

The cross sections of partial photoneutron reactions for ⁹⁸Mo were evaluated. These cross sections are free from the shortcomings of various methods for neutron multiplicity determination used at the beams of quasimonoenergetic annihilation photons and bremsstrahlung radiation. New data on the cross sections of reactions (γ, 1n), (γ, 2n), and (γ, 3n) were obtained using the experimental–theoretical method for evaluation of cross sections of partial reactions satisfying the introduced physical reliability criteria. It is demonstrated that considerable deviations of the experimental cross sections from the evaluated ones result from an inaccurate sorting of neutrons between channels with a multiplicity of 1, 2, and 3.     

Threshold and spin factors in the yield of bremsstrahlung-induced reactions

Relative yields of photon-induced reactions are systematized in a function of the threshold parameter for moderately heavy targets at the bremsstrahlung end-point energy lower than 30 MeV. Regular dependence is established for the group of (γ, n), (γ, p), and (γ, d) reactions, while the yields of (γ, 2n) and (γ,α) reactions deviate from the regularity. Physical conclusions are discussed and possible application of this systematic for data processing is proposed. In particular, the constituent threshold and spin factors in the isomer-to-ground-state ratio could be isolated separately. For spin dependence of the yields, a new regularization parameter is introduced and previously hidden peculiarities are concluded.     

Generation of MeV photons and protons in laser picosecond plasmas

The results of experiments devoted to studying the generation of MeV photons and protons in picosecond laser plasmas at a laser beam intensity of 10¹⁸ W/cm² on Be, Ta, LiF and H⁷Li targets are presented. Nuclear reactions (γ, n) and (p, n) were used to detect MeV photons and protons. The number of MeV photons and protons generated in laser plasmas was found from the measured neutron yield. Possibilities of particle acceleration due to the formation of pinch structures in laser plasmas are discussed. Calculated and experimental results are compared.     

The Pauli exclusion effect in multiparticle and hole state densities

Neutron time-of-flight spectra were measured in coincidence withγ-rays characteristic for thexn (x=2, 3, 4, 5) fusion-like products in reactions of 35–57 MeVα-particles with¹²⁴Sn. Additional information was obtained from excitation function andγ-multiplicity measurements. The neutron energy spectra for a specificx n channel at high bombarding energies clearly show the presence of nonequilibrium neutron emission. The spectra are parameterized in terms of emission from a slow equilibrated and a fast moving source. The fast moving source has a velocity close to the beam velocity indicating a close relationship between the movement of the projectile and the neutron emission.     

Vector analysis vs. regions of integration ratio method for determination of gamma and neutron contributions in a mixed field

The different ratios of the dosimetry peaks and the high temperature peaks after gamma and neutron irradiation can be employed for mixed field dosimetry, after performing proper analysis. In the present work the results obtained by the vector analysis method were compared to those obtained by the regions of integration (ROI) method for TLD600 chips irradiated by different combinations of gamma rays and thermal neutron doses. When applying the ROI method, the calculated neutron to gamma dose ratios (D_n/D_γ) were in good agreement (differences up to about 20%) with the actual experimental values in the D_n/D_γ range from 0.033 to 20. When applying the vector analysis method, the range of the D_n/D_γ ratio with differences up to about 20% is reduced to 0.033–4, and the uncertainties are generally higher. Thus, no advantage is expected when using the vector analysis method compared to the ROI method for evaluation of the dose ratio D_n/D_γ in a mixed field.     

High spin states in75Se populated by the72Ge(α,n) and73Ge(α, 2n) reaction

The⁷²Ge(α, n)⁷⁵Se and⁷³Ge(α, 2n)⁷⁵Se reactions have been studied at bombarding energies of 15 MeV and 22.5 MeV respectively using Ge(Li)-detectors.γ-singles spectra,γ-γ-coincidences,γ-angular distributions and excitation functions have been taken. A level scheme has been constructed, which contains a stretched spin and a normal rotational band. Nuclear reactions⁷²Ge(α, n)⁷⁵Se,⁷³Ge(α, 2n)⁷⁵Se; measuredE _γ ,I _γ ,γ-γ-coincidences,γ-angular distribution,γ-excitation function.⁷⁵Se deduced levels,J, π, γ-multipolarity. Enriched target, Ge(Li).     

Main channels of the decay of the giant dipole resonance in the 20,22Ne nuclei and isospin splitting of the giant dipole resonance in the 22Ne nucleus

Data published in the literature on various photonuclear reactions for the ^20,22Ne isotopes and for their natural mixture are analyzed with the aim of exploring special features of the decay of giant-dipole-resonance states in these two isotopes. With the aid of data on the abundances of the isotopes and on the energy reaction thresholds, the cross sections for the reactions ^20,22Ne[(γ, n)+(γ, np)] and ^20,22Ne[(γ, p)+(γ, np)] are broken down into the contributions from the one-nucleon reactions (γ, n) and (γ, p) and the contributions from the reactions (γ, np). The cross sections for the reactions ^20,22Ne(γ, n)^19,21Ne and ^20,22Ne(γ, p)^19,21F in the energy range E _γ=16.0–28.0 MeV and the cross sections for the reactions ^20,22Ne(γ, np)^18,20F in the energy range E _γ=23.3–28.0 MeV are estimated. The behavior of the cross-section ratio r=σ(γ, p)/σ(γ, n) for the ²²Ne nucleus as a function of energy is analyzed, and the isospin components of the giant dipole resonance in the ²²Ne nucleus are identified. The contributions of the isospin components of the giant dipole resonance in the ²²Ne nucleus to the cross sections for various photonuclear reactions are determined on the basis of an analysis of the diagram of the excitation and decay of pure isospin states in the ²²Ne nucleus and in nuclei neighboring it, which are members of the corresponding isospin multiplets. The isospin splitting of the giant dipole resonance and the ratio of the intensities of the isospin components are determined to be ΔE=4.57±0.69 MeV and R=0.24±0.04, respectively.     

Die Spektren der Neutronen aus den Reaktionen C12(γ,n)C11 und O16(γ,n)O15

The (γ, n)-reactions on carbon and oxygen were studied using the 30,5 MeV brems-strahlung beam of the Heidelberg betatron. The photoneutrons were detected via the recoil protons in a stilbene scintillator. The pulse height spectrum of scintillations produced in the stilbene crystal by the recoil protons is analyzed to yield the incident neutron energy distribution. Theγ-ray and electron background was strongly reduced through pulse shape discrimination. To test the apparatus the spectrum of the neutrons from a Po-α-Be source was measured. The energy spectrum of the photo-neutrons from O¹⁶ shows clearly two peaks at excitation energies of 22,4 and 24,4 MeV also seen in the photo-proton spectra. The energy distribution of the neutrons from C¹² (γ, n) too contains indication of structure already known from the proton spectra from C¹² (γ, p). The derived cross sections of C¹² (γ, n ₀) and O¹⁶ (γ, n ₀) coincide as well in their shape as in their absolute magnitude with the corresponding (γ, p ₀)-cross sections. In both C¹² (γ, n) and O¹⁶ (γ, n)-reaction the neutrons seem to leave the final nucleus mainly in its ground state.