Ground-state and isomeric-state cross sections for 181Ta(n,2n)180Ta between 8 and 15 MeV

Using the activation technique, the cross section for the reaction 181Ta(n,2n)180Tag was measured from 8 to 15 MeV in small energy steps to resolve inconsistencies in the existing database. The 93.4 keV γ ray from the decay of the 180Tag ground state was recorded with a high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector. The monitor reactions 27Al(n,α)24Na and 197Au(n,2n)196Au were used for neutron fluence determination. The ENDF VII.1 and TENDL 2011 evaluations are in considerable disagreement with the present data, which in turn agree very well with the majority of the existing data in the 14 MeV energy region. A detailed analysis using the code talys was performed to describe the present data and to predict the (n,2n) cross section to the isomeric state of 180Ta. © 2013 American Physical Society.

Duke Scholars

Author Werner Tornow Physics