Measurements of the 90,91,92,94,96Zr(n, gamma) cross-sections at n_TOF

Abstract

Neutron capture cross sections of the 90,91,91,94,96Zr have been measured over the energy range from 1 eV to 1 MeV at the spallation neutron facility n-TOF at CERN in 2003. The innovative features of the neutron beam, in particular the high instantaneous flux, the high energy resolution and low background, together with improvements of the neutron sensitivity of the capture detectors make this facility unique for neutron-induced reaction cross section measurements with much improved accuracy. The preliminary results of the Zr measurements show capture resonance strengths generally smaller than in previous measurements.