Re-evaluation of the thermal neutron capture cross section of Nd-147

• In this paper we are proposing a re-evaluation of the thermal-neutron induced capture cross section of Nd-147. A unique measurement exists from which this cross section was calculated in 1974. This original calculation is based on an assumed value for a specific gamma-ray fraction (called F-2), taken from the neighboring nucleus Nd-145. With the availability of reaction codes such as TALYS, such fraction can nowadays be calculated using specific reaction models and parameters. The new value of F-2 indicates a decrease of the thermal cross section by 45%, leading to 243 barns, instead of the 440 barns previously reported. This new cross section impacts the calculation of the number density for the well-known burn-up indicator Nd-148, but as shown, the change is close to the usual experimental uncertainties for the 148Nd number densities, thus having a limited impact on burn-up calculation.

Subject headings

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Fysik -- Subatomär fysik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Physical Sciences -- Subatomic Physics (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Nd147

Burn-up indicator

Capture cross section

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)