First experiments on transmutation studies of¹²⁹I and²³⁷Np using relativistic protons of 3.7 GeV

Abstract

First experiments on the transmutation of long-lived¹²⁹I and²³⁷Np using relativistic protons of 3.7 GeV are described. Relativistic protons generate in extended Pb-targets substancial neutron fluences. These neutrons get moderated in paraffin and are used for transmutation as follows:¹²⁹I(n,γ)¹³⁰I^β→ and²³⁷Np(n,γ)²³⁸Np^β→. The isotopes¹³⁰I (T _1/2-12.36 h) and²³⁸Np (T _1/2=2.117 d) were identified radiochemically. One can estimate the transmutation cross-section (n,γ) in the given neutron field as σ(¹²⁹I(n,γ))=(10±2)b and σ(²³⁷Np(n,γ))=(140±30)b The experiments were carried out in November 1996 at the Synchrophasotron, LHE, Dubna, Russia. The investigation has been performed at the Laboratory of High Energies, JINR, Dubna.