Cross sections of (n,p), (n,alpha) and (n,2n) reactions on some isotopes of zirconium in the neutron energy range of 10-12 MeV and integral tests of differential cross section data using a 14MeV d(Be) neutron spectrum

Cross sections were measured for the Zr-90(n,alpha)Sr-87m, Zr-90(n,2n)Zr-89 m.g, Zr-91(n,p)Y-91m. Zr-92(n,p)Y-92, Zr-94(n,alpha)Sr-91 and Zr-96(n,2n)Zr -95 reactions over the neutron energy range of 11.4 to 12.4 MeV and for the Zr-94(n,p)(94)y reaction from 9.2 to 12.4 MeV. Nuclear model calculations were performed up to 16 MeV. The statistical model incorporating precompoun d effects reproduces excitation functions of the three major threshold reac tions, namely (n,p), (n,alpha) and (n,2n), quite well. Spectrum-averaged cr oss sections were measured using a thick target Be(d,n) neutron field at E- d = 14 MeV. For the same neutron field averaged reaction cross sections wer e deduced using the excitation functions measured in this work as well as t hose given in the ENDF/B-VI. JEF-2, JENDL-3.2, BROND and ADL-3 data files. A comparison of the experimental and deduced integral data helped validatin g the differential data. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved .