An investigation of the (n, α) reaction cross sections using an empirical formula

Abstract

In this work, the experimental EXFOR data collected across the neutron-induced energy between 14 and15 MeV were used to produce empirical formulas to calculate the (n, $\alpha$) reaction cross-section. By including the asymmetry parameter, mass number and average binding energy into the main empirical formula, we achieved empirical systematics for 119 nuclei that were categorized into even-even, even–odd and odd–even sets of nuclei in the mass number range of 9 ≤ A ≤ 209 for calculating the (n, $\alpha$) reaction cross sections. The EMPIRE 3.2.3 and TALYS 1.95 codes were used for calculating the (n, $\alpha$) cross sections for the particular nuclei within the neutron energy range of 14–15 MeV. The empirical formulas produced in this work are more accurate for predicting experimental results, as shown by a comparison of calculated cross sections from the presented empirical formulas with those using codes and earlier studies.