Evaluation of the 93Nb(n,γ) Reaction Cross-Section

Abstract

New evaluation of the 93Nb(n,γ)94Nb reaction cross-section important for retrospective reactor dosimetry was carried out. At neutron energies below 7.5 keV the evaluation is based on the experimental data. The results of measurements extracted from the EXFOR library were corrected (when necessary) to new recommended values of monitor reaction cross-sections and decay data. The resonance analysis of the 93Nb(n,γ) and the 93Nb(n,tot) reaction cross-sections was carried out within the Reich-Moore formalism. 48 new resonances were identified as compared to the Mughabghab systematics. In the energy range from 7.5 keV to 20 MeV the evaluation is based on the experimental data and theoretical model calculations. The recommended cross-sections and their covariances in this energy range were evaluated by an approximation of the experimental and calculated values with the PADE2 code. The new evaluation provides, essentially, better agreement with the experimental data and the recommended value of the resonance integral compared to other evaluations.