Evaluation of $^{86}$Kr Cross Sections For Use in Fusion Diagnostics

TL;DR

This paper presents a new evaluation of neutron-induced cross sections for $^{86}$Kr, combining experimental data with nuclear reaction modeling to improve its use in fusion diagnostics and astrophysics.

Contribution

The study develops a comprehensive evaluation of $^{86}$Kr cross sections using experimental data and advanced nuclear reaction models, enhancing data accuracy for fusion and astrophysical applications.

Findings

New $^{86}$Kr cross section evaluation submitted to ENDF/B.

Optical model potential fitted up to 12 MeV for accurate modeling.

Above 12 MeV, adopted the global Koning-Delaroche potential.

Abstract

The National Ignition Facility at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory uses $^{86}$Kr as a diagnostic tool to measure the neutron flux produced by fusion reactions. As krypton is chemically inert, it can be implanted directly into the fuel capsule, and the reaction products can be measured to determine the flux of fusion neutrons. $^{86}$Kr cross sections also provide model constraints for the $^{85}$Kr branching point in the s-process and the neutron flux in stars. In this work, experimental data on the neutron production, radiative capture, inelastic scattering, and total cross sections of $^{86}$Kr were used in conjunction with the fast region nuclear reaction code EMPIRE and a new resonance-region evaluation to produce a new evaluation of neutron-induced reactions on $^{86}$Kr. For the EMPIRE calculations, we fitted the optical model potential up to 12 MeV to simultaneously reproduce the experimental data for the total cross section and the main inelastic gamma transition from the $2^+$ state to the $0^+$ ground state. For energies above 12 MeV, due to large fluctuations and uncertainties in the total cross section data, we preferred to adopt the Koning-Delaroche global spherical optical model potential. With these models and corrections to the structure of $^{86}$Kr, the evaluated cross sections matched the experimental data. The new evaluation has been submitted for incorporation in the next release of the ENDF/B nuclear reaction library.