Investigation on the Excitation Function of Alpha Induced Reaction on 116-Cd in the Energy Range between 15 and 40 Mev

Key Questions

What is the focus of this research?

This research investigates alpha particle-induced reactions on Cadmium-116 (Cd-116) in the energy range of 20-40 MeV. It studies the excitation functions for various reaction channels, such as (α, n), (α, 2n + p), (α, 3n), (α, 3n + p), and (α, n + α), to understand the nuclear reactions and their mechanisms.

What are excitation functions, and why are they important?

Excitation functions describe how the probability of a nuclear reaction varies with the energy of the incident particles (in this case, alpha particles). They are crucial for understanding nuclear reaction dynamics, predicting reaction outcomes, and applications in nuclear physics, such as in medical isotope production and nuclear energy.

What reaction channels were studied?

The study focused on the following reaction channels:

• 48-Cd-116(α, n) 50-Sn-119: A reaction with six excitons, one neutron, and one hole.
• 48-Cd-116(α, 2n + p) 49-In-117: A reaction with specific exciton configurations (TD = 10, Ex1 = 3, Ex2 = 3).
• 48-Cd-116(α, 3n) 50-Sn-117: A reaction with exciton numbers (TD = 10, Ex1 = 3, Ex2 = 3).
• 48-Cd-116(α, 3n + p) 49-In-116: A reaction with exciton numbers (TD = 12, Ex1 = 4, Ex2 = 4).
• 48-Cd-116(α, n + α) 48-Cd-115: A reaction with exciton numbers (TD = 14, Ex1 = 1, Ex2 = 5, Ex3 = 4).

How were the experiments conducted?

The excitation functions were measured experimentally using data from the EXFOR database (maintained by the IAEA). These experimental results were compared with theoretical calculations performed using the COMPLET code, which models nuclear reactions with and without pre-equilibrium particle emission.

What is pre-equilibrium emission, and why is it important?

Pre-equilibrium emission refers to the emission of particles (like neutrons or protons) before the nucleus reaches a state of thermal equilibrium. Including this phenomenon in theoretical models improves the accuracy of predictions, especially for reactions at higher energies.

What role does the level density parameter play?

The level density parameter is a key factor in nuclear reaction calculations. It describes the distribution of energy levels in a nucleus. In this study, it was adjusted to achieve the best agreement between theoretical predictions and experimental data, minimizing the need for additional fitting parameters.

What were the key findings of the study?

The study found that:

• Theoretical calculations using the COMPLET code, including pre-equilibrium emission, showed good agreement with experimental data.
• Adjusting the level density parameter improved the accuracy of the predictions.
• The reaction channels involving multiple particles (e.g., 2n + p, 3n + p) were successfully modeled, providing insights into their mechanisms.

How does this research contribute to nuclear physics?

This research enhances our understanding of alpha particle-induced reactions on Cadmium-116, which is important for:

• Developing accurate nuclear reaction models.
• Improving the production of medical isotopes.
• Advancing applications in nuclear energy and astrophysics.

What are the limitations of the study?

The study relies on theoretical models that require careful parameter tuning to match experimental data. Additionally, the accuracy of the results depends on the quality of the experimental data from the EXFOR database.

What are the future directions for this research?

Future research could focus on:

• Extending the study to other target nuclei and energy ranges.
• Incorporating more advanced theoretical models to improve predictions.
• Exploring applications in medical isotope production and nuclear waste management.

Why is this research significant?

This research provides valuable insights into nuclear reaction mechanisms, particularly for alpha particle-induced reactions. It bridges the gap between experimental data and theoretical models, contributing to advancements in nuclear physics and its applications.

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