Improvements to the photon-production data for radiative capture in ENDF

Area of Science:

• Nuclear Physics
• Applied Physics

Background:

• High-quality photon-production data are crucial for applications such as oil-well logging and environmental monitoring.
• Current data for radiation transport codes are sourced from the U.S. nuclear database, ENDF/B.
• Existing data may require improvement for specific applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compile and evaluate photon-production data for thermal-neutron capture reactions.
• To improve the accuracy of gamma-ray energies and yields for various isotopes.
• To enhance the reliability of radiation transport simulations.

Main Methods:

• Compilation and evaluation of gamma-ray energies and yields for isotopes with Z < 31 and selected heavier isotopes.
• Utilizing MCNP simulations to compare with experimental measurements.
• Focusing on thermal-neutron capture cross sections.

Main Results:

• A comprehensive compilation of photon-production data for thermal-neutron capture has been created.
• Improved photon-production cross sections for chlorine (Cl) were demonstrated through simulations and experiments.
• The enhanced data show a significant impact on the accuracy of radiation transport simulations.

Conclusions:

• The improved photon-production data will enhance the accuracy of nuclear applications.
• The new data are being incorporated into the ENDF/B database for future releases.
• This work contributes to more reliable nuclear data for scientific and industrial use.