Measurement of $\left(n,\gamma \right), \left(n,p\right)$, and $\left(n,2n\right)$ reaction cross sections for sodium, potassium, copper, and iodine at neutron energy $14.92\pm 0.02$ MeV with covariance analysis

The cross section of the ${}^{23}\mathrm{Na}(n,\gamma ){}^{24}\mathrm{Na}, {}^{41}\mathrm{K}(n,p){}^{41}\mathrm{Ar}, {}^{65}\mathrm{Cu}(n,p){}^{65}\mathrm{Ni}$, and ${}^{127}\mathrm{I}(n,2n){}^{126}\mathrm{I}$ reactions have been measured at $14.92\pm 0.02$ MeV neutron energy through neutron activation method followed by off-line $\gamma$-ray spectrometry. ${}^{27}\mathrm{Al}(n,\alpha ){}^{24}\mathrm{Na}$ is used as a reference reaction for the neutron flux normalization. The neutron beam was produced via the ${}^3\mathrm{H}(d,n)$ fusion reaction. Detailed uncertainty propagation has been performed using the covariance analysis and the measured cross sections are being reported with their uncertainties and correlation matrix. The cross sections measured in the present work are compared with the earlier reported cross sections available in the EXFOR database. Furthermore, theoretical calculations have been performed using the empire-3.2 and talys-1.9 codes with RIPL-3 parametrization, from reaction threshold to 20 MeV. The present experimental cross sections are also compared with the evaluated nuclear data from TENDL-2017, JENDL-4.0, and ENDF/B-VIII.0. In the case of $\left(n,\gamma \right)$ and $\left(n,2n\right)$ reactions, the comparison is also made with the IRDFF-1.05 evaluation.

Figure 1

Efficiency calibration curve of the HPGe detector for the sample geometry source placed at a distance of 2 mm from the top of detector absorber.

Figure 2

Cross section of ${}^{23}\mathrm{Na}(n,\gamma ){}^{24}\mathrm{Na}$ reaction measured in present work and comparative studies with the existing experimental cross section data at different neutron energies with empire-3.2 and talys-1.9 as well as the evaluated data.

Figure 3

Cross section of ${}^{41}\mathrm{K}(n,p){}^{41}\mathrm{Ar}$ reaction measured in present work and comparative studies with the existing experimental cross section data at different neutron energies with empire-3.2 and talys-1.9 as well as the evaluated data.

Figure 4

Cross section of ${}^{65}\mathrm{Cu}(n,p){}^{65}\mathrm{Ni}$ reaction measured in present work and comparative studies with the existing experimental cross section data at different neutron energies with empire-3.2 and talys-1.9 as well as the evaluated data.

Figure 5

Cross section of ${}^{127}\mathrm{I}(n,2n){}^{126}\mathrm{I}$ reaction measured in present work and comparative studies with the existing experimental cross section data at different neutron energies with empire-3.2 and talys-1.9 as well as the evaluated data.

Figure 6

Contribution from different reaction mechanisms in total ${}^{23}\mathrm{Na}(n,\gamma ){}^{24}\mathrm{Na}$ reaction cross section.

Figure 7

Contribution from different reaction mechanisms in total ${}^{41}\mathrm{K}(n,p){}^{41}\mathrm{Ar}$ reaction cross section.

Figure 8

Contribution from different reaction mechanisms in total ${}^{65}\mathrm{Cu}(n,p){}^{65}\mathrm{Ni}$ reaction cross section.

Figure 9

Contribution from different reaction mechanisms in total ${}^{127}\mathrm{I}(n,2n){}^{126}\mathrm{I}$ reaction cross section.