Validation of IRDFF-II library by means of ²⁵²Cf spectral averaged cross sections

Spectrum-averaged cross sections (SACS) is an important quantity usable in validation of nuclear cross sections. Especially in case of dosimetrical reactions there is a request on precise validation. This paper presents SACS measured in the reference ²⁵²Cf(sf) neutron field for neutron dosimetry reactions to validate recently updated IRDFF-II library intended mainly for neutron metrology applications. It covers ⁴⁶Ti(n,p)⁴⁶Sc, ⁴⁷Ti(n,p)⁴⁷Sc, ⁴⁸Ti(n,p)⁴⁸Sc, ⁵⁸Ni(n,p)⁵⁸Co, ⁶⁰Ni(n,p)⁶⁰Co, ⁵⁸Ni(n,2n)⁵⁷Ni, ²⁴Mg(n,p)²⁴Na, ²⁷Al(n,α)²⁴Na and ⁶³Cu(n,α)⁶⁰Co threshold reactions. Measurement of ⁶⁰Ni(n,p)⁶⁰Co SACS is included in NEA's High Priority Nuclear Data Request List since existing data are discrepant. Spectral averaged cross sections were derived from experimentally determined reaction rates by gamma spectrometry using a same high-purity germanium detector to measure all irradiated samples. Measured spectrum-averaged cross sections agree very well within quoted uncertainties with those calculated using the IRDFF-II library. No other library achieves such good performance. Thus, the presented data support use of the cross sections of the mentioned reactions from IRDFF-II library.