The first measurement of the (n,d*) reactions cross section for the d–T neutrons using highly enriched ^132,134Xe isotopes

Abstract

The cross sections for the reactions ¹³²Xe(n,d*)¹³¹I and ¹³⁴Xe(n,d*)¹³³I were measured at energies around 14 MeV. The neutron fluence standard corresponds to the cross-section of the monitor reaction ⁹³Nb(n,2n)^92mNb. The facilities from the China Academy of Engineering Physics (CAEP) were used for this experimental study. High purity, high-pressure, and highly enriched ^132,134Xe isotope gases were used as the target sample. The T(d,n)⁴He reaction was used as a neutron source to generate neutrons with an energy of 14 MeV. The activities of the resulting residual product were measured using an HPGe detector. The corrected experimental parameters include the geometric properties and solid angle of the sample, as well as the effects of coincidence summation and self-attenuation of the gamma ray. The covariance analysis technique is employed to derive the uncertainty and correlation matrix of the cross section. The cross sections of the reactions ¹³²Xe(n,d*)¹³¹I and ¹³⁴Xe(n,d*)¹³³I have experimentally been determined and reported for the first time. The TALYS-1.96 program was used to derive the theoretical excitation function curves for the nuclear reactions ¹³²Xe(n,d*)¹³¹I and ¹³⁴Xe(n,d*)¹³³I. All results are compared, including experimental measurement, theoretical calculation, and evaluation. The reaction cross section obtained for the first time plays an important role in enhancing the database and evaluating the excitation function.