https://doi.org/10.1140/epja/s10050-025-01763-7
Regular Article - Experimental Physics
First measurement of cross sections for the 78Kr(n,d*)77Br reaction in the neutron energy range of 13–15 MeV
1
Department of Basic Science, Lanzhou Institute of Technology, 730050, Lanzhou, China
2
Institute of New Energy, Hexi University, 734000, Zhangye, China
3
School of Physics and Electromechanical Engineering, Hexi University, 734000, Zhangye, China
4
Institute of Nuclear Physics and Chemistry, China Academy of Engineering Physics, 621900, Mianyang, China
a
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Received:
4
September
2025
Accepted:
3
December
2025
Published online:
13
January
2026
Abstract
Neutron irradiation experiments are performed at the China Academy of Engineering Physics (CAEP) to determine the (n,d*) reaction cross-section of the even Z-even N 78Kr at five neutron energies (13.59 ± 0.12, 13.86 ± 0.15, 14.13 ± 0.16, 14.70 ± 0.13, and 14.94 ± 0.02 MeV) using a high-pressure spherical gas sample. In order to determine the 78Kr(n,d*)77Br reaction cross section, the influence of 78Kr(n,2n)77Kr via EC(100%) decay is subtracted. The neutron energies and their uncertainties are calculated using the Q-value equation of the 3H(d,n)4He reaction, which takes into account the solid angle of the sample. Reaction 93Nb(n,2n)92mNb is used to monitor the neutron flux. The self-absorption and cascade of rays, as well as the geometry and solid angle of the sample, are corrected. The cross-section of the 78Kr(n,d*)77Br reaction is measured and reported for the first time. The measured results are compared to the results of available empirical and systematic formulas, theoretical results obtained using TALYS-2.0 with an adjustable density of six energy levels, and evaluation database results. The reaction 78Kr(n,d*)77Br cross-section determined for the first time in this experiment is of great significance for verifying the nuclear reaction models, improving the databases, and systematics.
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Communicated by Navin Alahari.
© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Società Italiana di Fisica and Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2026
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
