Measurement of (<i>n, α</i>) Cross Sections of Chromium, Iron, and Nickel in the 5- to 10-MeV Neutron Energy Range

Abstract

A measuring program has been carried out at the Van de Graaff accelerator facility of the Central Bureau for Nuclear Measurements for the determination of (n, α) cross sections on the main constituents of fast reactor structural materials, namely the elements chromium, iron, and nickel. The alpha particles are detected in a reaction chamber by telescope counter arrangements at five observation angles between 14 and 141 deg. Results obtained in the energy range from 5 to 10 MeV are presented in terms of laboratory angle-differential cross sections, relative Legendre polynomial coefficients of angular distributions, angle-integrated cross sections, and average alpha energies.