Eur. Phys. J. A (2016) 52: 276
https://doi.org/10.1140/epja/i2016-16276-9

Regular Article - Experimental Physics

Thermal-neutron cross sections and resonance integrals of ¹³⁸Ba and ¹⁴¹Pr using Am-Be neutron source

Manipal Centre for Natural Sciences, Manipal University, 576104, Karnataka, India

^* e-mail: priyadapv@gmail.com

Received: 25 May 2016
Accepted: 26 July 2016
Published online: 12 September 2016

Abstract

The thermal-neutron capture cross sections and resonance integrals of ¹³⁸Ba(n,)¹³⁹Ba and ¹⁴¹Pr(n,)¹⁴²Pr were measured by activation method using an isotopic Am-Be neutron source. The estimations were with respect to that of ⁵⁵Mn(n,)⁵⁶Mn and ¹⁹⁷Au(n,)¹⁹⁸Au reference monitors. The measured thermal-capture cross section of ¹³⁸ Ba with respect to ⁵⁵ Mn is 0.410±0.023 b and with respect to ¹⁹⁷ Au is 0.386±0.019 b. The measured thermal-capture cross section of ¹⁴¹ Pr with respect to ⁵⁵ Mn is 11.36±1.29 b and with respect to ¹⁹⁷ Au is 10.43±1.14 b. The resonance integrals for ¹³⁸ Ba are 0.380±0.033 b (⁵⁵ Mn) and 0.364±0.027 b (¹⁹⁷ Au) and for ¹⁴¹ Pr are 21.05±2.88 b (⁵⁵ Mn) and 15.27±1.87 b (¹⁹⁷ Au). The comparison between the present measurements and various reported values are discussed. The cross sections corresponding to the selected isotopes are measured using an Am-Be source facility for the first time.