Neutron radiative capture cross section of Th-232 in the energy range from0.06 to 2 MeV

The neutron capture cross section of Th-232 has been measured relative to s igma (n, gamma )for Au-197 and sigma (n,f) for U-235 in the energy range fr om 60 keV to 2 MeV. Neutrons were produced by the Li-7(p,n) and T(p,n) reac tions at the 4-MV Van de Graaff Accelerator of CEN Bordeaux-Gradignan. The activation technique was used, and the cross section was measured relative to the Au-197(n,gamma) standard cross section up to 1 MeV The characteristi c gamma lines of the product nuclei Pa-233 and Au-118 were measured with a 40% high-purity germanium detector. Above this energy, the reaction U-235(n f) was also used as a second standard, and the fission fragments were detec ted with a photovoltaic cell. The results, after applying the appropriate c orrections, indicate that the cross sections are close to the JENDL-3 datab ase values up to 800 keV and over 1.4 MeV. For energies in the intermediate range, our values are slightly lower than those from all the libraries.