Activation cross section for 85Rb(n,2n)84mRb and 85Rb(n,p)85mKr reactions with uncertainty propagation and covariance analysis

Abstract

The cross section of Rb-85(n,2n)Rb-84m and Rb-85(n,p)Kr-85m reactions were measured at neutron energy range 12-20 MeV using activation analysis followed by off-line gamma-ray spectroscopic technique. The quasi mono-energetic neutrons were produced through Li-7(p,n)Be-7 reaction. The measurements were done relative to Al-27(n,alpha)Na-24 reference monitor reaction cross section. The detailed uncertainty propagation from the attributes present in measurements was performed using covariance analysis. The gamma-ray self-attenuation and background low neutron energy corrections were performed in the measurement studies. Theoretical calculations were performed by TALYS-1.96 nuclear code. The comparison of measured values with the available data in EXFOR database and evaluated data from JENDL-5 and EAF-2010 shows the measured cross section values of Rb-85(n,p)Kr-85m reaction were slightly higher than the published values, evaluated data and theoretical data while for Rb-85(n,2n)Rb-84m, the measured values were consistent with the published data.The cross section of Rb-85(n,2n)Rb-84m and Rb-85(n,p)Kr-85m reactions were measured at neutron energy range 12-20 MeV using activation analysis followed by off-line gamma-ray spectroscopic technique. The quasi mono-energetic neutrons were produced through Li-7(p,n)Be-7 reaction. The measurements were done relative to Al-27(n,alpha)Na-24 reference monitor reaction cross section. The detailed uncertainty propagation from the attributes present in measurements was performed using covariance analysis. The gamma-ray self-attenuation and background low neutron energy corrections were performed in the measurement studies. Theoretical calculations were performed by TALYS-1.96 nuclear code. The comparison of measured values with the available data in EXFOR database and evaluated data from JENDL-5 and EAF-2010 shows the measured cross section values of Rb-85(n,p)Kr-85m reaction were slightly higher than the published values, evaluated data and theoretical data while for Rb-85(n,2n)Rb-84m, the measured values were consistent with the published data.