Activation Cross Sections for (n, p) and (n, α) Reactions on Nd, Sm, Yb and Lu at 14.6 MeV

Abstract

Activation cross sections for the (n, p) and (n, α) reactions of Nd, Sm, Yb and Lu have been measured at 14.6 MeV by using a Ge(Li) γ-ray detector. The following cross sections (in millibarns) have been obtained: ¹⁵⁰Sm(n, p) ¹⁵⁰Pm, 7.19±1.01; ¹⁷³Yb(n, p) ¹⁷³Tm, 13.5±2.8; ¹⁷⁵Lu(n, p) ¹⁷⁵Yb, 18.5±2.2;¹⁴⁶Nd(n,α) ¹⁴³Ce, 4.42±0.47; ¹⁵²Sm(n, α) ¹⁴⁹Nd, 2.81±0.42; 174Yb(n, α)¹⁷¹Er, 1.22±0.23 and ¹⁷⁶Lu(n, α)¹⁷³Tm, 2.30±0.57. The results are compared with predictions based on the evaporation, the pre-equilibrium and other models. The present experimental (n, p) cross sections agree fairly well with the pre-equilibrium model predictions. A comparison made between the experimental (n, α) cross sections and the predictions of the pre-equilibrium model suggests the existence of a mechanism of pre-equilibrium emission in the (n, α) reaction in this mass region.

KEYWORDS:

• (n, p) (n, α)
• cross section
• neodymium
• samarium
• ytterbium
• lutetium
• 14.6 MeV neutron
• Ge(Li) detector
• pre-equilibrium model