Abstract
The neutron capture cross section of Np was measured between 0.7 and 500 eV at the CERN n_TOF facility using the 4 BaF Total Absorption Calorimeter. The experimental capture yield was extracted minimizing all the systematic uncertainties and was analyzed together with the most reliable transmission data available using the sammy code. The result is a complete set of individual as well as average resonance parameters [ eV, meV, , fm]. The capture cross section obtained in this work is in overall agreement with the evaluations and the data of Weston and Todd [Nucl. Sci. Eng. 79, 184 (1981)], thus showing sizable differences with respect to previous data from Scherbakov et al. [J. Nucl. Sci. Technol. 42, 135 (2005)] and large discrepancies with data Kobayashi et al. [J. Nucl. Sci. Technol. 39, 111 (2002)]. The results indicate that a new evaluation combining the present capture data with reliable transmission data would allow reaching an accuracy better than 4, in line with the uncertainty requirements of the nuclear data community for the design and operation of current and future nuclear devices.
8 More- Received 28 November 2011
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.85.044616
©2012 American Physical Society