Measurement of (n,p) and (n,α) Reaction Cross Sections on Some Isotopes of Nickel in the Energy Region of 5 to 10 MeV Using a Deuterium Gas Target at a Compact Cyclotron

A deuterium gas target was constructed for producing quasi-monoenergetic neutrons in the 5- to 10-MeV energy region via the D(d, n)³He reaction at a compact cyclotron. Some of the characteristics of the neutron source were investigated. The neutron spectrum was characterized by the multiple foil activation technique in combination with the iterative code SAND II, and the results were qualitatively similar to those from time-of-flight measurements. Using this neutron source, cross sections were measured for the first time in this energy region for the reactions ⁵⁸Ni(n, α)⁵⁵Fe, ⁶²Ni(n,α)⁵⁹Fe, ⁶⁴Ni(n,α)⁶¹Fe, ⁶¹Ni(n,p)⁶¹Co, and ⁶²Ni(n,p)^62mCo. Use was made of the activation technique, wherever necessary, radiochemical separations, and x- or gamma-ray counting. A systematic trend observed in the cross-section data is briefly discussed.