Radiochemical cross sections measurements on nuclear reactions induced with 14.5 MeV neutrons.

Abstract

A Radiochemical study of cross section measurements in nuclear reactions with fast neutrons (14 MeV) has been carried out based on an activation technique. As a source of 14 MeV neutron the D + T nuclear reaction has been used. The deuterons were accelerated in a Cockroft Walton installation and Titanium (or Zirconium) tritiated targets have been used. As a neutron flux monitor the Fe(^56)(np)Mn(^56) nuclear reaction has been chosen. The (np), (nd) and (n∞) reaction in Tungsten target has been investigated and a chemical method of separation between the elements involved (W, Ta, Hf) has been developed. Activity measurements were made with an end window gas flow proportional counter. Tantalum and Hafnium induced activities were always counted in oxide form. A discussion of the results obtained is given and compared, when possible, with other similar data. In a subsequent study (np) and (nd) nuclear reactions in a Mercury target resulting in very short activities of Au(^202) (25 sec.) and Au(^203) (55 sec.) have been investigated using a 100 channel pulse height analyser (associated with a scintillation counter) in addition to beta counting technique. To determine the emission of Au(^202) and its half life and (n∞) reaction in Thallium target resulting in the same Au(^202) has been investigated. Here also a discussion of the results obtained is given.