Study of secondary neutron interactions with $^{232}$Th, $^{129}$I, and $^{127}$I nuclei with the uranium assembly "QUINTA" at 2, 4, and 8 GeV deuteron beams of the JINR Nuclotron accelerator

TL;DR

This study investigates secondary neutron interactions with specific nuclei using the QUINTA uranium assembly at multiple deuteron energies, analyzing gamma spectra and reaction rates, and comparing experimental data with theoretical models.

Contribution

It provides new experimental data on neutron-induced reactions and transmutation power for iodine isotopes at high energies, validated against computational predictions.

Findings

Identified numerous product nuclei from neutron interactions.

Measured reaction rates for $^{232}$Th, $^{127}$I, and $^{129}$I.

Estimated transmutation power for $^{129}$I samples.

Abstract

The natural uranium assembly, "QUINTA", was irradiated with 2, 4, and 8 GeV deuterons. The $^{232}$Th, $^{127}$I, and $^{129}$I samples have been exposed to secondary neutrons produced in the assembly at a 20-cm radial distance from the deuteron beam axis. The spectra of gamma rays emitted by the activated $^{232}$Th, $^{127}$I, and $^{129}$I samples have been analyzed and several tens of product nuclei have been identified. For each of those products, neutron-induced reaction rates have been determined. The transmutation power for the $^{129}$I samples is estimated. Experimental results were compared to those calculated with well-known stochastic and deterministic codes.