Thermal Neutron Activation: Measurement of Cross Section for Manganese-53

Abstract

The product of the thermal neutron activation cross section and half-life for manganese-53 is (350 +/- 100) x 10(6) barn-years. If a value of 2 x 10(6) years is assumed for the half-life of manganese-53, then the cross section is 170 barns. This large cross section affords much greater sensitivity for the determination of manganese-53.