Cross-section measurements of (n, 2n) and (n, p) reactions on 124,126,128,130,131,132Xe in the 14 MeV region and theoretical calculations of their excitation functions

The reaction cross-sections of Xe-124(n, 2n)Xe-123, Xe-126(n, 2n)Xe-125, Xe-128(n, 2n )Xe-127, Xe-130(n, 2n)Xe-129m, Xe-132(n, 2n)Xe-131m, Xe-130(n, p)I-130, Xe-131(n, p) I-131, and Xe-132(n, p)I-132 were measured at the 13.5, 13.8, 14.1, 14.4, and 14.8 MeV neutron energies. The monoenergetic neutrons were generated via the H-3(d,n)He-4 reaction at the China Academy of Engineering Physics using the K-400 Neutron Generator with a solid H-3-Ti target. A high-purity germanium detector was employed to measure the activities of the product. The reactions Nb-93(n, 2n)Nb-92m and Al-27(n, alpha)Na-24 were adopted for neutron flux calibration. The cross sections of the (n, 2n) and (n, p) reactions of the xenon isotopes were obtained within the 13-15 MeV neutron energy range. These cross-sections were then compared with the IAEA-exchange format (EXFOR) database-derived experimental data, together with the evaluation results of the CENDL-3, ENDF/B-VIII.0, JENDL-4.0, RUSFOND, and JEFF-3.3 data libraries, as well as the theoretical excitation function obtained using the TALYS-1.95 code. The cross-sections of the reactions (except for the Xe-124(n, 2n)Xe-123 and Xe-132(n, p)I-132) at 13.5, 13.8, and 14.1 MeV are reported for the first time in this study. The obtained results are beneficial in providing better cross-section constraints for the reactions in the 13-15 MeV region, thus improving the quality of the corresponding database. Meanwhile, these data can also be used for the verification of relevant nuclear reaction model parameters.

Automated summary

The reaction cross-sections of several xenon isotopes under neutron irradiation at different energies were measured and compared with existing experimental data, database evaluation results, and theoretical models. This study provides first-time reported cross-section data for reactions in the 13-15 MeV energy range, contributing to the improvement of database quality.