Cross-sections of photonuclear reactions on $^{nat}$Mo targets at end-point bremsstrahlung energy up to $E_{{\gamma}max}$ = 100 MeV

TL;DR

This study measured photonuclear reaction yields on natural molybdenum targets using bremsstrahlung photons up to 80 MeV, comparing experimental results with TALYS-based calculations to improve understanding of nuclear reaction cross-sections.

Contribution

It provides experimental data on photonuclear reactions on natural molybdenum and compares these with theoretical TALYS calculations, enhancing the accuracy of nuclear reaction models.

Findings

Experimental cross-sections for Mo reactions were obtained.

Comparison shows agreement/discrepancies with TALYS predictions.

Data aids in refining nuclear reaction models.

Abstract

Experiments to determine the yields and bremsstrahlung flux-averaged cross-sections <${\sigma}(E_{{\gamma}max})$> of photonuclear reactions on the natural Mo targets were performed on the beam from the NSC KIPT electron linear accelerator LUE-40 with the use of the ${\gamma}$-activation technique. The bremsstrahlung end-point energies were in the range $E_{{\gamma}max}$ = 35...80 MeV. The bremsstrahlung quantum flux was calculated with the program GEANT4.9.2 and, in addition, was monitored using the $^{100}$Mo$({\gamma},n)^{99}$Mo reaction. Calculations of the yields and average cross-sections <${\sigma}(E_{{\gamma}max})$> for photonuclear reactions on stable Mo isotopes were computed using the ${\sigma}(E)$ cross-sections from the TALYS1.95 code (for the level density model LD1). A comparison of experimental and calculated cross-sections <${\sigma}(E_{{\gamma}max})$> for reactions $^{92}$Mo$({\gamma},2n)^{90}$Mo and $^{92}$Mo$({\gamma},pn)^{90}$Nb was performed.