The thermal neutron capture cross-section of cerium isotopes 140Ce and 142Ce, were measured with detailed covariance analysis using naturally occurring cerium oxide samples. We conducted irradiation with an Am–Be neutron source at the Manipal Institute of Technology and performed offline gamma-ray measurements via High Purity Germanium (HPGe) Detector. The neutron spectrum from the irradiation location was obtained by employing multiple foil activation techniques and spectrum unfolding methods. The present results provide precise thermal neutron capture cross-section data with detailed covariance analysis. The measured cross sections, 0.54±0.03 barns for 140Ce and 0.83±0.04 barns for cerium-142, are compared with previous measurements and with the latest available evaluated nuclear libraries. It is observed that the presently measured thermal cross-section values of 140Ce and 142Ce are lower than the evaluated data but have higher accuracy compared to the previous measurements with larger uncertainties. Further, the measured thermal neutron capture cross-section values of 140Ce and 142Ce isotopes are in good agreement with the previous measurements than the evaluations. Thus, the current state of nuclear data evaluation requires improvement for cerium isotopes.
Determination of thermal neutron capture cross-section of cerium isotopes
Pizzone, R. G.;
2025-01-01
Abstract
The thermal neutron capture cross-section of cerium isotopes 140Ce and 142Ce, were measured with detailed covariance analysis using naturally occurring cerium oxide samples. We conducted irradiation with an Am–Be neutron source at the Manipal Institute of Technology and performed offline gamma-ray measurements via High Purity Germanium (HPGe) Detector. The neutron spectrum from the irradiation location was obtained by employing multiple foil activation techniques and spectrum unfolding methods. The present results provide precise thermal neutron capture cross-section data with detailed covariance analysis. The measured cross sections, 0.54±0.03 barns for 140Ce and 0.83±0.04 barns for cerium-142, are compared with previous measurements and with the latest available evaluated nuclear libraries. It is observed that the presently measured thermal cross-section values of 140Ce and 142Ce are lower than the evaluated data but have higher accuracy compared to the previous measurements with larger uncertainties. Further, the measured thermal neutron capture cross-section values of 140Ce and 142Ce isotopes are in good agreement with the previous measurements than the evaluations. Thus, the current state of nuclear data evaluation requires improvement for cerium isotopes.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
