Determination of the $^{209}$Bi(n,$\gamma$)$^{210g}$Bi cross section using the NICE-Detector

TL;DR

This study measured the neutron capture cross section of $^{209}$Bi at various energies using a novel NICE detector setup, providing new data relevant for astrophysical models.

Contribution

The paper introduces a new NICE detector setup for measuring neutron capture cross sections and reports precise measurements for $^{209}$Bi at different energies.

Findings

Thermal capture cross section: 16.2 ± 0.97 mb

Resonance integral: 89.81 ± 8.0 mb

Maxwellian average cross section: 2.01 ± 0.38 mb

Abstract

The capture cross section of $^{209}$Bi(n,$\gamma$)$^{210g}$Bi was measured at different astrophysically energies including thermal capture cross section (25 meV), resonance integral, and the Maxwellian averaged cross section at a thermal energy of $kT$ = 30 keV. The partial capture cross section ($\sigma_g$) was determined using the activation technique and by measuring the $^{210}$Po activity. The newly developed and tested NICE detector setup was used to measure the $\alpha$-activity of the $^{210}$Po. Using this setup the thermal and resonance integral cross sections were determined to be $16.2\;\pm\;0.97$~mb and $89.81\;\pm\;8.0$~mb, respectively. And the Maxwellian average cross section was measured to be $2.01\;\pm\;0.38$~mb.