Abstract

The cross sections for the Mg²⁴(n, p) Na²⁴, Al²⁷(n, α)Na²⁴, Si²⁸(n, p)Al²⁸, Cr⁵²(n, p)V⁵² and Fe⁵⁶(n, p)Mn⁵⁶ reactions have been measured for neutrons produced by the H³(d, n) He⁴ reaction. The activation method was used, with the gamma rays which are emitted following beta decay being counted with a Na(Tl) scintillation crystal. The Mg²⁴(n, p)Na²⁴ cross section is found to be 219±26 mb at 13.0 MeV. The Al²⁷(n, σ)Na²⁴ cross section varies smoothly from 139 mb at 13.0 MeV to 106 mb at 15.7 MeV. The Si²⁸(n, p)Al²⁸ cross section changes smoothly from 370 mb at 12.3 MeV to 160 mb at 18.3 MeV, with a broad peak at 13.5 MeV with the maximum value of 380 mb. The Cr⁵²(n, p)V⁵² cross section decreases slowly from 125 mb at 12.3 MeV to 72 mb at 18.3 MeV. The Fe⁵⁶(n, p)Mn⁵⁶ cross section is found to be 131±15 mb at 15.3 MeV. The results are generally in agreement in those cases where previous results of others exist.