Activation Measurements Of Fast Neutron Radiative Capture For La-139

The neutron capture cross section of the neutron magic isotope La-139 has been measured relative to that of Al-27 by means of the activation method. The fast neutrons were produced via the H-3(d,n)He-4 reaction on Pd-300 neutron generator. The natural high-purity La2O3 powder was used as target material. Induced gamma activities were measured by a high-resolution gamma-ray spectrometer with high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector. Measurements were corrected for gamma-ray attenuations, random coincidence (pile-up), dead time and fluctuation of neutron flux. The new values for E-n=13.5 +/- 0.2, 14.1 +/- 0.2, and 14.8 +/- 0.2 MeV are found to be 1.30 +/- 0.08, 1.15 +/- 0.08 and 0.99 +/- 0.07 mb, respectively. Results were discussed and compared with some corresponding values found in the literature. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.