The excitation functions of 187Re(n,2n)186m,gRe Reactions

TL;DR

This study evaluates the excitation functions and cross sections of 187Re(n,2n) reactions at around 14-15 MeV, using experimental data, nuclear modeling, and Monte Carlo simulations, confirming the reliability of the methods.

Contribution

It introduces a combined approach using experimental data, UNF code calculations, and Monte Carlo simulations to accurately determine excitation functions and isomeric cross section ratios for 187Re(n,2n) reactions.

Findings

Recommended g-ray emission probability for 186gRe is 9.47%

Total cross section at 14.8 MeV is 2213±116 mb

Calculated excitation functions agree with experimental data

Abstract

A new value for the emission probability of 137.144keV g-ray of 186gRe decay are re-recommended to be 9.47+-0.03 (%). From this new g-ray emission probability, the measured cross sections for 187Re(n,2n)186mRe and 187Re(n,2n)186gRe reactions around 14MeV are evaluated, and the total cross section for 187Re(n,2n)186m+gRe reaction at 14.8MeV is recommended to be 2213+-116 mb. The UNF code are adopted to calculate the total cross sections for 187Re(n,2n)186m+gRe reaction below 20 MeV fitting to the recommended value 2213+-116 mb at 14.8MeV using a set of optimum neutron optical potential parameters which obtained on the relevant experimental data of Re. Then the isomeric cross section ratios for 187Re(n,2n)186m,gRe reaction are calculated using the method of Monte Carlo calculations based on the nuclear statistical theory. Combining these two calculated results, the excitation functions for 187Re(n,2n)186mRe and 187Re(n,2n)186gRe reactions are obtained. The obtained results are in good agreement with the available experimental data, which indicates that present method is useful to deduce the isomeric cross sections for (n,2n) reaction.