Neutron Physics and Nuclear Data in Science and Technology, Volume 3: Neutron Radiative Capture discusses topics that help bridge the gap between experimental and theoretical scientists and applications scientists and engineers.
The first chapter discusses the theory of slow neutron radiative capture, while the second chapter covers fast neutron radiative capture. Chapter III talks about methods for calculating neutron capture cross sections and gamma-ray spectra, while Chapter IV deals with the measurement techniques for radiative neutron capture, and Chapter V discusses neutron capture processes in fission reactors. The sixth chapter covers applications to stellar nucleosynthesis and the seventh chapter covers the practical uses of neutron capture gamma-ray spectroscopy.
The book is meant for the use of graduate students who are knowledgeable about basic nuclear physics.

List of Abbreviations

Introduction


I. Theory of Slow Neutron Radiative Capture


I.A Introduction


I.A.1 The Electromagnetic Interaction


I.A.2 Photons in Reaction Theory


I.B Statistical Theory of Radiative Capture


I.B.1 Premises


I.B.2 Partial Radiative Widths


I.B.3 Gamma-ray Spectrum


I.B.4 Total Radiative Widths


I.B.5 Width Distributions


I.C Systematic Properties of Radiative Neutron Capture


I.C.1 Resonance-averaged Cross Sections


I.C.2 Formalism for Averaged Capture Cross Sections


I.C.3 The Distribution of Radiative Strength in Nuclei


II. Fast Neutron Radiative Capture


II.A Direct and Semi-direct Capture Reactions


II.A.l The Symmetry Potential


II.A.2 The Giant Dipole Resonance


II.A.3 Derivation of the Direct-Semi-direct Cross SectionH


II.A.4 The Direct-Semi-direct Cross Section


II.A.5 Isospin Splitting of the Giant Dipole Resonance


II.A.6 Direct-Semi-direct Capture in Deformed Nuclei


II.A.7 Contribution of Other Giant Multipole Resonances 52


II.B Experimental Results


II.B.l Gamma-ray Spectra


II.B.2 Partial Capture Cross Sections


II.B.3 Systematics of 14-15 MeV Capture Cross Sections


II.B.4 Angular Distribution of Rays


III. Methods for Calculating Neutron Capture Cross Sections and Gamma-ray Energy Spectra


III.A Scope


III.B Statistical Model Calculations


III.B.l The Hauser-Feshbach (HF) Equation


III.B.2 The Gamma-Ray Cascade


III.B.3 Neutron Transmission Coefficients


III.B.4 Total Radiative Widths


III.C Expressions for E1 Photon Strengths


III.D Giant Dipole Resonance Systematics


III.E Nuclear Level Densities


III.E.l The Gilbert-Cameron Formalism


III.E.2 The Spin Cut-off Parameter


III.E.3 The Yrast Limit


III.F Sample Calculation: 89 (n, )90C


III.F.l Specifications of the 89Y+n Problem


III.F.2 Results from the 89Y+n Calculation


III.G Summary


IV. Measurement Techniques for Radiative Neutron Capture


IV.A Introduction


IV.A.1 The Radiative Neutron Capture Reaction


IV.A.2 Neutron Sources


IV.A.3 Flux Measurements


IV.B Capture Event Detection


IV.B.l Indirect Techniques


IV.B.2 Prompt Radiation Detection


IV.B.3 Gamma-ray Spectral Measurements


IV.C Analysis of Measurements


IV.C.l Thermal and Fast Neutron Energy Range


IV.C.2 Resonance Neutron Range


V. Neutron Capture Processes in Fission Reactors


V.A Introduction


V.B Capture in Fertile and Fissile Nuclei


V.B.l Fertile Nuclei


V.B.2 Fissile Nuclei


V.C Capture in Structural, Coolant and Shielding Materials


V.D Capture in Fission Product Nuclei


V.D.l Thermal Reactors


V.D.2 Fast Reactors


V.E The Production of Higher Actinides


VI. Applications to Stellar Nucleosynthesis


VI.A Introduction


VI.B s-Process Nucleosynthesis


VI.C Age of the s-Process and the Stellar Environment


VI.D r-Process Chronometer and the Age of the Universe


VI.E Summary


VII. Practical Uses of Neutron Capture Gamma-ray Spectroscopy


VII.A Introduction


VII.B Fundamentals


VII.C The Prompt Gamma-ray Technique (PGA)


VII.C.1 Sensitivity


VII.C.2 Sources and Detectors


VII.C.3 Applications of Reactor-based PGA


VII.C.4 Mobile Systems


VII.C.5 Biomedicine


VII.C.6 Elemental Analyses for Petroleum and Mineral Exploration


VII.C.7 Process Stream Analysis of Coal


VII.D Non-analytical Uses of Neutron Capture


VII.E Conclusions


VIII. Summary and Concluding Remarks


References


Glossary


Subject Index