New measurement of $^{50}$Cr and $^{53}$Cr (n,$γ$) cross sections at n_TOF: a call for chromium nuclear data revision

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Main Authors: Pérez-Maroto, P., Guerrero, C., Casanovas, A., Fernández, B., Mendoza, E., Alcayne, V., Lerendegui-Marco, J., Domingo-Pardo, C., Quesada, J. M., Capote, R., Collaboration, the n_TOF
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
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author Pérez-Maroto, P.
Guerrero, C.
Casanovas, A.
Fernández, B.
Mendoza, E.
Alcayne, V.
Lerendegui-Marco, J.
Domingo-Pardo, C.
Quesada, J. M.
Capote, R.
Collaboration, the n_TOF
author_facet Pérez-Maroto, P.
Guerrero, C.
Casanovas, A.
Fernández, B.
Mendoza, E.
Alcayne, V.
Lerendegui-Marco, J.
Domingo-Pardo, C.
Quesada, J. M.
Capote, R.
Collaboration, the n_TOF
contents $^{50}$Cr and $^{53}$Cr are very relevant in criticality safety benchmarks related to nuclear reactors. The discrepancies of up to 30% between the neutron capture cross section evaluations have an important effect on the $k_{eff}$ and $k_{\infty}$ in criticality benchmarks particularly sensitive to chromium. In this work, the $^{50,53}$Cr(n,$γ$) cross sections are to be determined between 1 and 100 keV with an 8-10% accuracy following the requirements of the NEA High Priority Request List (HPRL) to solve the current discrepancies. We have measured these reactions by the time-of-flight technique at the EAR1 experimental area of the n_TOF facility, using an array of four C$_6$D$_6$ detectors with very low neutron sensitivity. The highly-enriched samples used are significantly thinner than in previous measurements, thus minimizing the multiple-scattering effects. We have produced, and analysed with the R-matrix analysis code SAMMY, capture yields featuring 33 resonances of $^{50}$Cr and 51 of $^{53}$Cr with an accuracy between 5% and 9%, hence fulfilling the requirements made by the NEA. The differential and integral cross sections have been compared to previous data and evaluations. The new measured $^{50,53}$Cr(n,$γ$) cross sections provide a valuable input for upcoming evaluations, which are deemed necessary given that the results presented herein do not support the increase in both cross sections proposed in the recent INDEN evaluation.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2506_17161
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle New measurement of $^{50}$Cr and $^{53}$Cr (n,$γ$) cross sections at n_TOF: a call for chromium nuclear data revision
Pérez-Maroto, P.
Guerrero, C.
Casanovas, A.
Fernández, B.
Mendoza, E.
Alcayne, V.
Lerendegui-Marco, J.
Domingo-Pardo, C.
Quesada, J. M.
Capote, R.
Collaboration, the n_TOF
Nuclear Experiment
$^{50}$Cr and $^{53}$Cr are very relevant in criticality safety benchmarks related to nuclear reactors. The discrepancies of up to 30% between the neutron capture cross section evaluations have an important effect on the $k_{eff}$ and $k_{\infty}$ in criticality benchmarks particularly sensitive to chromium. In this work, the $^{50,53}$Cr(n,$γ$) cross sections are to be determined between 1 and 100 keV with an 8-10% accuracy following the requirements of the NEA High Priority Request List (HPRL) to solve the current discrepancies. We have measured these reactions by the time-of-flight technique at the EAR1 experimental area of the n_TOF facility, using an array of four C$_6$D$_6$ detectors with very low neutron sensitivity. The highly-enriched samples used are significantly thinner than in previous measurements, thus minimizing the multiple-scattering effects. We have produced, and analysed with the R-matrix analysis code SAMMY, capture yields featuring 33 resonances of $^{50}$Cr and 51 of $^{53}$Cr with an accuracy between 5% and 9%, hence fulfilling the requirements made by the NEA. The differential and integral cross sections have been compared to previous data and evaluations. The new measured $^{50,53}$Cr(n,$γ$) cross sections provide a valuable input for upcoming evaluations, which are deemed necessary given that the results presented herein do not support the increase in both cross sections proposed in the recent INDEN evaluation.
title New measurement of $^{50}$Cr and $^{53}$Cr (n,$γ$) cross sections at n_TOF: a call for chromium nuclear data revision
topic Nuclear Experiment
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2506.17161