Cross-sections for 187

Re(n,p)187 W and 185 Re(n,3n)183 Re reactions in the energy range

between 13.08 MeV and 19.5 MeV

S Ili¢1 , N. Jovan£evi¢1 , L. Daraban2 , H.Stroh2 , S. Oberstedt2 , M.Hult2 , C. Bonaldi2 ,

W. Geerts2 , F.-J. Hambsch2 , G. Lutter2 , G. Marissens2 , M. Vidali2 , D. Kneºevi¢1
1
Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Novi Sad,
Trg Dositeja Obradovi¢a 4, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
2
European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Directorate G  Nuclear Safety and Security,
Unit G.2, Retieseweg 111, B-2440 Geel, Belgium
(Dated: January 22, 2020)
Using the NAXSUN technique developed at the JRC-Geel the cross section functions for the
neutron induced reactions 187 Re(n,p)187 W and 185 Re(n,3n)183 Re have been measured in the energy
range between 13.08 MeV and 19.5 MeV. These data are the rst experimental obtained values for
those nuclear reactions in this energy range. Obtained results have been compared with existed
evaulated data from ENDF/B-VII 0, JEFF 3.3, JEFF 3.2, BROND 3.1, JEF - 2.2, JENDL, ROSFO
ND-2010. Also, the TAYLIS 1.9 and EMPIRE 3.2.3 calculations were performed using dierent
available models and calculations using several semi-empirical existing formulas. A comparison
between theoretical model calculations and experimental results was made.

PACS numbers: Valid PACS appear here

I. INTRODUCTION they exist. Up to now cross-section from 187 Re(n,p)187 W

Accurate cross section data for neutron induced reac-
tions are very important for dierent applications such
reactor technology, medical diagnostic and treatment and
industrial application or astrophysical calculations [1].
Databases for experimental and evaluated data such as
EXFOR and ENDF have been established [2, 3]. How-
ever, an overview of exited data shows necessaries for
new measurements of cross section values for dierent
neutron induced reactions in the wide energy range. Be-
cause of that the NAXSUN technique (Neutron Activa-
tion X-Section determined using Unfolding) has been de-
veloped at the JRC-Geel [4]. The NAXSUN technique
provides the cross section excitation functions in a wide
energy range dierent to usual point-wise measurements,
at well-dened incident energies.
In this work we used the NAXSUN technique for study
of the 187 Re(n,p)187 W and 185 Re(n,3n)183 Re reactions in
the energy range between 13.08 MeV and 19.5MeV. On
this way we continued with our previous study about
neutron induced reaction on Re [15], with preliminary re-
sults presented at ref.[5]. The neutron induced reactions
on Rhenium isotopes ( 185 Re and 187 Re) were chosen for
analysis because this material has specic characteristics
which are recognized for practical applications. Its good
resistance for high temperatures found usage in aircraft
and aerospace industry [6] as well as, it makes rhenium
good material for using it in nuclear reactor construction.
Additionally, it is known that Rhenium aloes are good
neutron absorbers and this can be applied for regulation
of neutron uxes in reactors [7]. Nuclides of rhenium can
be used for the production of other radionuclides of in-
terest, such as tungsten and tantalum [8], and also for
medical diagnostics and therapy [912].
Experimentally obtained data in this work have been
compared with available data in the energy range where
and 185 Re(n,3n)183 Re were measured in the energy range
between 13 MeV and 15 MeV with the fact that for
185
Re(n,3n)183 Re only one experimental value exist for
induced neutron energy of 14.8 MeV. This means that
the results here presented are the rst experimental data
in energy range from 15 MeV to 19.5 MeV. Calculations
using TALYS 1.9 and EMPIRE 3.2.3 were performed us-
ing dierent available models too. Also, systematic for-
mulas were used for calculations of the 187 Re(n,p)187 W
reaction cross-section. In this way experimental results
were compared with evaluated theoretical data.
In this paper, the details about the NAXSUN tech-
nique are presented in Sec. II. The experimental setup
and measurements are described in Section III. Exper-
imental results are presented in IV section. Section V
shows the theoretical calculations, followed by results and
discussions in sec. VI . Conclusions are given in sec. VII.
II. THE NAXSUN TECHNIQUE
This NAXSUN technique has been developed for a rel-
atively simple and straightforward obtaining general in-
formation about the cross section function, and should
be very helpful to provide new data, in case when no or
scarce experimental data exists. A detailed description of
the NAXSUN technique can be found in refs. [4, 1315].
This method is based on the activation of a certain
number of metal disks containing the isotopes of interest
in a series of well known and energy overlapping neutron
spectra [4]. The induced saturated gamma-activity af-
ter activation in certain disk k (Ak ) can be measured by
means of high-resolution gamma-ray spectroscopy sys-
tems. Since the induced saturation gamma activity of
the disk k is proportional to the product of the cross-

TABLE I: Second column (Ei ) represents ion energy,
third (En ) neutron energy for 0◦ to the incident beam
and fourth column (t) is irradiation time.
No. of disk Ei [MeV] En [MeV] t [s]
1 3.300(11) 19.78(20) 86921(10)
2 2.500(11) 18.71(20) 248402(10)
3 2.000(11) 18.10(28) 157632(10)
4 2.000(11) 18.10(28) 166564(10)
5 1.500(11) 17.16(30) 231958(10)
6 1.000(11) 15.97(82) 243608(10)
7 0.800(11) 15.26(131) 144831(10)
section (σ ) for a certain reaction and the corresponding
neutron ux (Φk ), this gives us the possibility for the
determination of the cross section function:
X can be seen in g.3.
Ak = Φki σi i = 1, 2, 3, ...n k = 1, 2, 3, ....m (1)
i
where n is number of energy bins Ei and mnumber
of disksFor the determination of the cross section val-
ues it is necessary to use an unfolding procedure since
above equqtion is underdetermined and possesses an in-
nite number of solutions. Summarized this measurement
technique would cover the following steps:
1) Irradiation of some number (6 in this work) of pure
metal disks in dierent wide-energy neutron beam with
overlapping neutron spectra.
2) Irradiated at a well-dened incident neutron energy
of one disk for absolute normalization of the obtained
cross section function.
3) Gamma-ray spectroscopic measurements of each
disk to determine the activity of the produced radionu-
clides.
4) Determination of the neutron cross-section function
using an unfolding procedure, where the known spectra of
the neutron beams and the activity of the radionuclides
are input parameters with input guessing function. In
this work we have used MAXED and GRAVEL unfolding
algorithms [13, 16, 17].
III. EXPERIMENTAL SETUP AND
MEASUREMENTS
A. Neutron eld and activation
7 identical disks made of 99.9% natural rhenium have
been used for activation. Disks had a diameter 20 mm
and thickness 5 mm. The irradiation has been done at the
Van de Graf facility, JRC Geel. Details about irradia-
tion procedure can be found in Ref [] and here we will pre-
sented brief description. Neutrons were produced via the
reaction 3 H(d,n)4 He using Ti3H target of 2.293 mgcm−2
with the 3 H/Ti ratio of 1.4 at the start of the irradiation.
Discs were activated by the established scanning tech-
nique which should provided wide energy neutron spectra
2
[ref]. 6 disk has been irradiated at certain neutron energy
in region between 13 and 20 MeV. Information about ion
and neutron energy are presented in TableI. Discs were
activated in an interval from 0◦ to 80◦ relative to the di-
rection of the beam at 41 dierent positions, in steps of
2◦ . For each position the irradiation time has been in-
creased by one second to compensate for the decreasing
ux at increasing angles. Disk no. 4 (Table df) was kept
in steady position at 0◦ with irradiated neutron energy
of 18.1 MeV, and this data was used for normalization
of the obtained excitation function. The neutron uence
rate was monitored by an ionization chamber loaded with
a 235 U target and data about variations in the accelerator
beam current was recorded. These monitoring data were
used for the normalization of the simulated neutron spec-
tra, which are input parameters in the unfolding proce-
dure. Detailed schematic drawings of experimental setup
Neutron spectra are simulated using TARGET code,
based on the Monte Carlo method [18]. These simulated
values (ΦT j )are corrected by the parameter bk which
takes into account variations of the beam currents of ions,
time of irradiation and time of cooling:
Φj = ΦT j bj
Xn
qi (2)
1 − e−λtaji e−λtcji


bj =
t
i=1 aji
where the index i indicates the summation over re-
peated irradiations at a certain angle, j , and n is the
number of repetitions; qi is the accumulated charge for
every step; λ is the decay constant of the isotope of inter-
est. tcji is the decay time between successive irradiations
for a certain angle position and taji is the time of irra-
diation at a certain angle, j . The total neutron elds
used for irradiation at 41 positions in intervals from 0◦
to 80◦ can be seen in g. 2, in case of corrections for
185
Re(n,3n)183 Re reaction. Those date are input param-
eters in unfolding procedure.
B. Gamma spectroscopic measurements
Gamma spectra of the activated disks were measured
using HPGe detectors in low background environment.
There have been performed two groups of measurements.
The rst was performed 20 minutes after irradiations
of the disks, at the JRC-Geel, and second was done in
the HADES ultra-low background underground labora-
tory [19] after period of time signicantly greater than
half-lifes of short-living radioisotopes, such as 184 Re and
186
Re. The activated disks were placed in the holder cen-
tered at the end-cap of detectors. At JRC-IRMM was
used HPGe coaxial detector that has 40% relative e-
ciency. Detector used at the HADES laboratory has 50%
relative eciency.
 3

TABLE II: Obtained activities for every irradiated disk

Reaction Eγ [keV](Iγ ) Ak (10−24 Bq/atom)

Disk No.1 Disk No.2 Disk No.3 Disk No.4 Disk No.5 Disk No.6 Disk No.7
185
Re(n,3n)183 Re 162.3 (22(5) 163.5(28) 183.4(4) 117.0(22) 312.9(8) 217.6(5) 112.3(23) 66.1(14)
187
Re(n,p)187 W 618.3 (7.6(9) 48.5(9) 67.1(11) 60.2(9) 83.4(12) 119.1(20) 86.9(15) 88.7(18)

10
6 Disk No.1
Ei = 3.3 MeV Disk No.2
5
Ei = 2.5 MeV 162.3 keV Disk No.3
10
Ei = 2.0 MeV 0.01 Disk No.4
Neutron Fluence rate [cm-2 s-1]

Ei = 1.5 MeV Disk No.5

4
10 Disk No.6
Ei = 1.0 MeV Disk No.7

-1]
3 Ei = 0.8 MeV
10

Counts [s
2 1E-3
10

1
10

0
10
1E-4
10-1
(a)
(a) 10-2
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 200 300 400 500 600 700
E [MeV] E [keV]

Disk No.1
Ei = 3.3 MeV 0.1 Disk No.2
2000 Ei = 2.5 MeV Disk No.3
Ei = 2.0 MeV
Neutron Fluence rate [cm-2s-1]

Disk No.4
Ei = 1.5 MeV Disk No.5 618.3 keV
Ei = 1.0 MeV Disk No.6
1500
-1]

Disk No.7
Ei = 0.8 MeV
Counts [s

0.01

1000

500
1E-3

(b)
(b) 0
14 16 18 20 400 500 600 700

E [MeV] E [keV]

FIG. 1: Neutron uence spectra simulated using the FIG. 2: Part of detected gamma-ray spectra with
TARGET code, corrected by the factor bk gamma line followed by: (a) 185 Re(n,3n)183 Re; (b)
187
Re(n,p)187 W

During gamma analysis of spectra, it was identied a  

large number of gamma peaks which correspond to dif- Ak =
CM λ
eλtc (3)
ferent radioisotopes [20]. Most of the gamma peaks are Na mPγ Iα 1 − e−λtm
the result of overlapping from gamma rays of dierent
radionuclides which makes it dicult to obtain all the C is number of counts, m is mass of the disks, M
necessary quantities for acquiring specic activity of nu- is molar mass, λ decay constant, Na Avogadro number,
clide from interest. It was chosen one suitable gamma-  full energy peak eciency, Pγ probability of emission
ray peak emitted by decay of 187 W and 183 Re, so it could of gamma-ray, Ia represents abundance of isotope whose
be acquired specic activity induced by 185 Re(n,3n)183 Re reaction is observed, tc is time between end of the ir-
and 187 Re(n,p)187 W. radiation and the beginning of the measurements, tm is
measured live time. When calculations for eciency of
The specic activities listed in table II are calculated detection is done, it was also calculated with corrections
by the following formula: for true coincidence summing and everything is done with
 4

Neutron producing target

Monte Carlo code EGS4. Sample 200 mm

IV. EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS Ion beam

A. Cross sections for the 185 Re(n,3n)183 Re and

Re(n,p)187 W reactions at initial neutron energy of
187

18.1 MeV Stepping motor

1060 mm
Using the measured induced gamma activity of ra-
dioisotopes of interest and neutron uence rate as input
parameters it is possible to calculate the cross-section
values for the 185 Re(n,3n)183 Re and 187 Re(n,p)187 W re-
actions at 18.1 MeV neutron energy:
Ak
σ= (4) (a)
Φ1
where Φ1 is determinanted neutron uence rate with cor- Ionization chamber with 235
U target
rections for uctuations in beam currents in time inter-
vals of 10 s:
n
X j Neutron target
1 − e−λtai e−λtci , (5)


Φ1 = Φ
i
javg

average current in 10 s interval is j and average current

for entire irradiation is javg .
Measurements of neutron ux rate are done with two (b)
ionization chambers, one with 235 U, and other with 238 U
target. Chamber with 238 U was placed before every irra-
The sample setup for activation
diation at the place for Re disks, and chamber with 235 U
was present during the measurements with 238 U and dur- FIG. 3: Shematic representation of the: (a) setup for
ing the irradiations of Re disks always at the same posi- neutron activation; (b) setup for neutron monitoring
tion, 111 cm from the target and at 50◦ compared to the and activation
direction of ions beam (gure 3). On this way chamber
with 238 U target was used for determinated neutron ux
rate and chamber with 235 U target was used as a neutron
monitor. The use of ssion chambers at IRMM, the data number of ssion events from ssion on the 235 U sample
acquisition systems and details about data treatment are during disk activation. Nt is the number of total events,
described in refs. [21, 22]. Cross sections for these two which triggered the acquisition system and Ne is the to-
isotopes of uranium are precisely determined and can be tal number of events processed by the acquisition system.
used for necessary neutron ux rate determination. With Ratio Ne /Nt determined eciency of the acquisition sys-
this setup, the neutron uence rate can be determined by: tem.
NU 238 MU238 NU235 irr
Φ= (6)
σU238 Na mU238 NU235 mes TABLE III: Cross-sections obtained for neutron energy
NU238 , NU235irr and NU235mes are given by: 18.1 MeV, along with the neutron uence rates for both
reactions
IU238 Nt
NU238 = Reaction 185
Re(n,3n)183 Re 187
Re(n,p)187 W
tc Ne
IU235irr Nt Φ1 (cm−2 s−1 ) 375 17100
NU235 irr = (7) Cross section (b) 0.834 0.049
tc Ne
IU235 mes Nt
NU235 mes =
tc Ne
The obtained results are presented in table III The
where IU238 and IU235 mes are the detected number of values of cross-sections are used as normalization values
ssion events after ssion of 238 U and of 235 U during for the excitation functions. Also, obtained values are
the neutron uence rate measurement and IU235 irr is the compared with the existing evaluated data in g. 4.
 5

1.8 ENDF/B-VIII.0 cross section are calculated by:

JEFF- 3.3
1.6 JEFF-3.2 Pn
ROSFO ND-2010 i=1 Φki Ei
1.4 JEF-2.2 hEik ≈ P n (9)
Cross section [b]

JENDL i=1 Φki

1.2 This work

1.0
Where it is present k average cross-sections for k dif-
ferent energies. Dependence of hσik on hEik is used for
0.8
obtaining linear interpolation. The functions obtained
0.6 trough the linear interpolation are normalized to the
0.4
cross-sections measured for neutron energies of 18.1 MeV.
The determined default functions and values for average
0.2
cross-sections are shown in table IV and g. 5.
(a) 0.0

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 TABLE IV: Obtained hσik at hEik , with values of

E [MeV] neutron uxes

No.disk hEik (MeV) Φk (cm−2 s−1 ) hσik (b)

0.028
ENDF/B-VIII.0
JEFF-3.3
185
Re(n,3n)183 Re
JEFF-3.2 1 18.3(12) 233(12) 0.83(4)
BROND-3.1
0.024
JENDL/AD-2017 2 17.3(10) 681(34) 0.32(2)
Cross section [b]

FENDL-3.1c 3 16.8(9) 343(17) 0.41(2)

EAF-2010
0.020
MENDL-2 5 16.1(6) 865(43) 0.32(2)
TENDL-2017 6 15.3(6) 1064(53) 0.126(7)
0.016 This work
7 14.8(5) 1192(60) 0.066(3)
0.012
187
Re(n,p)187 W
1 18.3(12) 12960(650) 0.0049(3)
0.008 2 17.3(10) 23300(1200) 0.0037(2)
3 16.8(9) 14600(730) 0.0054(3)
0.004
5 16.1(7) 29800(1500) 0.0052(3)
0.000
6 15.3(6) 36000(1800) 0.0031(2)
(b) 7 14.8(5) 51000(2500) 0.0023(1)
12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
E [MeV]

FIG. 4: Comparison of data available from

ENDF/B-VII 0, JEFF 3.3, JEFF 3.2, BROND 3.1, JEF C. Unfolding results
- 2.2, JENDL, ROSFO ND-2010, MENDL-2, EAF-2010,
FENDL-3.1, TENDL-2017 databases[2], with For unfolding procedures two types of algorithms are
experimentally obtained cross sections for reaction: used in this work, MAXED and GRAVEL [16, 21, 23].
(a)185 Re(n,3n)183 Re; (b) 185 Re(n,p)187 W (b) Both algorithms begins calculations with choosing a de-
fault function, which is shown previously. GRAVEL al-
gorithm is an iterative algorithm and is modied from
B. The default function used for the unfolding the SAND-II:
procedure

The starting point of unfolding procedure should be σiJ+1 = σiJ f (Ak k Φki σiJ )
a reasonably good function which is the rst gues. The
P  
J Ak
Wik log P W J σJ
determination of the default functions is described in our f = exp  ik i
(10)

J
P
previous publications about the NAXSUN technique [13] k Wik
[14]. The rst step is the calculation of average cross-
section hσik for various neutron elds present for each Φki σ J A2
J
Wik = P Ji 2k .
irradiation: Φki k

Ak where measured activity is Ak , measured uncertainty k ,

hσik ≈ Pn (8)
i=1 Φki
cross-section for energy bin Ei is σi and neutron uence
rate when irradiating k disk at energy bin Ei .
With measured induced activity Ak for various disks k Φki represents measured neutron uence rate when ir-
and neutron uence is Φki represented for dierent en- radiating disk k , for energy beam Ei , σi cross-section
ergy bins Ei . for the same energy, induced activity, and k uncertainty
Average neutron energies which corresponds to average of measurement. While, MAXED algorithm as a result
 6

1.8
5 Default function
1.6 Unfolded function
Upper error corridor
1.4 4 Lower error corridor

Cross section [b]

Cross section [b]

1.2
3
1.0

0.8
2

0.6
1
0.4

0.2
0
(a) 0.0
(a)
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
E [MeV] E [MeV]
7
Default function
6 Unfolded function
0.007 Upper error corridor
Lower error corridor

Cross section [b]

5
Cross section [b]

0.006
4

0.005 3

2
0.004
1

0.003 0
(b)
(b) 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
E [MeV]
E [MeV]
FIG. 6: Obtained unfolding function and error bars for
FIG. 5: Default functions with error corridors for
reaction 185 Re(n,3n)183 Re with algorithms: (a MAXEL;
reaction: (a) 185 Re(n,3n)183 Re; (b) 187 Re(n,p)187 W
(b)GRAVEL

of tting input data (measured induced activity ) gives

function σ(E) which maximized the relative entropy:
Z   
σ(E)
S=− σ(E) ln
σdef (E)
(11)
where σdef (E) is the default cross section function.
Unfolding is done in the energy range from 13.08 MeV
to 19.5 MeV in 174 bins. In this work, dierences in
results obtained by the MAXEL and GRAVEL are also
consider. In the gs. 6 and 7 are presented unfolding
results obtained by those two algorithms. Final results
showed in gs 8 and 9 represent average cross section val-
ues for two unfolding codes with the properly weighted
uncertainty corridor. The obtained cross section func-
tions are normalized to the values of cross-sections for
neutron energy of 18.1 MeV.
Cross-section values for both reactions,
185
Re(n,3n)183 Re (a) and for 185 Re(n,p)187 W, show
unexpected drop in region around 17 MeV without
obvious physical reason. Obtained drop of cross section
values come from the shape of the initial guest cross
section function (g.5). That was the indication of
possible systematic error in the measurement of disk
number 2. Because of that, all unfolding procedure,

+ σdef (E) − σ(E) dE
starting form the construction of initial guest func-
tion was repeated without taking into to account the
measurement of disk number 2, activated at average
neutron energy of 18.71MeV. In g.10 are shown the
new default functions for 185 Re(n,3n)183 Re (a) and for
187
Re(n,p)187 W reactions with their error bars with 5
measured point and without results obtained form disk
number 2.
Using the new default functions for the two reactions
of interest, unfolding procedure was performed, also with
both the MAXEL i GRAVEL algorithms. Again, in gs.
11 and 12 can be seen obtained default functions com-
pared with the unfolding functions obtained with both
algorithms and for both reactions. New nal results are
presented in gs 11 and 12 and are, as previously, calcu-
lated as average values of the two algorithms with cor-
ridors of uncertainties. Functions are, again, normalized
 7

0.010
6 ENDF/B-VIII.0
Unfolding function
JEFF- 3.3
Upper error corridor
Lower error corridor JEFF-3.2
Default function ROSFOND-2010
5 JEF-2.2
0.008

Cross section [b]

JENDL
Cross section [b]

Unfolded function
4 Upper error corridor
Lower error corridor
Gongping Li, 2002
0.006
3

2
0.004

(a) 0.002 0

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
E [MeV] E [MeV]
0.012
Unfolded function
Upper error corridor
FIG. 8: Obtained results are compared with the data
Lower error corridor available from ENDF/B-VII 0, JEFF 3.3, JEFF 3.2,
0.010 Default function
JEF - 2.2, JENDL, ROSFO ND-2010 databases[2] and
with existing experimental data [24] for
Cross section [b]

0.008 185
Re(n,3n)183 Re reaction.

0.006 ENDF/B-VIII.0 C.Konno,1993

0.032
JEFF-3.3 R.F.Coleman, 1959
JEFF-3.2 A.A.Filatenkov, 2016
0.028 BROND-3.1 Xiangzhong, 1997
0.004 JENDL/AD-2017 N.I.Molla, 1977
FENDL-3.1c
Cross section [b]

0.024 EAF-2010
MENDL-2
TENDL-2017
0.002 0.020 Unfolded function
Upper error corridor
Lower error corridor
(b) 0.016
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
E [MeV] 0.012

FIG. 7: Obtained unfolding function and error bars for 0.008

reaction 187 Re(n,p)187 W with algorithms: (a)MAXEL;
(b)GRAVEL 0.004

0.000
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

to the values of cross-sections for neutron energy of 18.1 E [MeV]

MeV and those we can consider as a nal results.
FIG. 9: Obtained results are compared with the data
Uncertainty calculations were also done trough unfold- available from the data available from ENDF/B-VII 0,
ing procedure. Upper and lower error corridor from gs JEFF 3.3, JEFF 3.2, BROND 3.1, JENDL, MENDL-2,
10 and 12 were taken as default functions separately and EAF-2010, FENDL-3.1, TENDL-2017 databases[2] and
the unfolding procedure gave upper and lower corridor with existing experimental data [2529] for
of errors for the obtained cross-section functions for both 187
Re(n,p)187 W reaction.
reactions of interest. Every uncertainty in experimen-
tal procedures contributes to the nal uncertainty of the
default functions (the calculation of the neutron elds,
tion. The validation of the obtained results was done by
the measurement of the induced gamma ray activity,
the calculation of an induced activity (Ac) for both, de-
the measurements of the distance between the neutron-
fault and nal cross-section function, and compared with
producing target and the irradiated disks, the weighting
the measured data (Am ). In table V it is presented the
of the disks and the measurements of the beam current).
sum of the squared relative deviation of both values for
Also, previous calculation was that the primary source
all disks, i.e. the variance S, for the investigated reactions
of uncertainty comes from the default functions [5, 15].
reactions:
The reason for this is the usage of neutron beams with
broad energies. Nevertheless, on this way obtained de- k  2
fault function from the set of average neutron energies 1 X Aic − Aim
s= (12)
trough unfolding procedure convergences to stable solu- (k − 1) i=1 Aim
 8

1.6
Those results show that the unfolding procedure con-
Default function
verges to a better description of the measured activity Unfolded function
data than the initial default data. Upper error corridor
1.2 Lower error corridor

Cross section [b]

TABLE V: The sum of squared relative deviations of
both values over all disks - s
0.8
Reaction s
Default MAXED GRAVEL
185
Re(n,3n)183 Re 0.0094 0.0088 0.0048 0.4
187
Re(n,p)187 W 0.0345 0.014 0.0097

2.0
(a) 0.0

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
E [MeV]
1.6
Cross section [b]

1.2 Default function

Unfolded function
1.2 Upper error corridor
0.8
Lower error corridor

Cross section [b]

0.4 0.8

(a) 0.0

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 0.4
E [MeV]

0.006

0.0
(b)
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

0.005 E [MeV]
Cross section [b]

FIG. 11: Obtained unfolding function and error bars

without disk No.2 for reaction 185 Re(n,3n)183 Re using
0.004 algorithm: (a) MAXEL; (b) GRAVEL

0.003
choose nuclides with mass number starting from 12 and
heavier as targets and as projectiles photons, neutrons,
α particles, 3 He, protons, tritons, deuterons in the en-
(b)
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
ergy range from 1 keV to 200 MeV[30]. By determining
E [MeV] input parameters it can calculate various physical quan-
tities for all possible outgoing reaction channels. TALYS
FIG. 10: Default functions for reactions: (a) 1.9 uses data available in the Reference Input Parameter
185
Re(n,3n)183 Re; (b) for 185 Re(n,p)187 W (b) reactions Library(RIPL)[22]. In calculations are incorporated the
inuence of direct reaction, compound, pre-equilibrium
mechanisms of reaction and also parameters for level den-
sities [3033].
In this work calculations were done for
V. THEORETICAL CALCULATION 185
Re(m,3n)183 Re and 187 Re(n,p)187 W reaction, with
energies of incident particles in range 13 -20 MeV. All
A. Calculations using Taylis - 1.9 other parameters were code default values except level
density parameters, which were changed between all
TALYS 1.9 represents a computer code constructed for six models incorporated in TALYS 1.9. Level density
the simulations of parameters of nuclear reactions which models are based on constant temperature Fermi-Gas
is used for both basic and applied physics. One can model (LD model 1), Back-shifted Fermi gas model (LD
 9

2.0 ENDF/B-VIII.0
JEFF- 3.3
0.006 JEFF-3.2
ROSFOND-2010
1.6
JEF-2.2

Cross section [b]

Cross section [b]

JENDL
0.005 Unfolded function
1.2 Upper error corridor
Lower error corridor
Gongping Li, 2002
0.004
0.8

0.003
0.4
Unfolded function
Upper error corridor
Lower error corridor
0.002 0.0
(a) Default function

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
E [MeV] E [MeV]

0.006 FIG. 13: Obtained results are compared with

ENDF/B-VII 0, JEFF 3.3, JEFF 3.2, JEF - 2.2,
JENDL, ROSFO ND-2010, databases [2] and with
0.005 existing experimental data [24] for 185 Re(n,3n)183 Re
Cross section [b]

reaction.
0.004

ENDF/B-VIII.0 C.Konno, 1993

0.003 JEFF-3.3 A.A.Filatenkov, 2016
0.0330
JEFF-3.2 Xiangzhong, 1997
JENDL/AD-2017 R.F.Coleman, 1959
FENDL-3.1c N.I.Molla, 1977
Cross section [b]

Unfolded function 0.0275

0.002 Upper error corridor EAF-2010
MENDL-2
Lower error corridor
TENDL-2017:
(b) Default function 0.0220 Unfolded function
0.001 Upper error corridor
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Lower error corridor
0.0165
E [MeV]

FIG. 12: Obtained unfolding function and error bars 0.0110

without disk No.2 for reaction 187 Re(n,p)187 W using

algorithm: (a)MAXEL; (b)GRAVEL 0.0055

0.0000
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
model 2), Generalised superuid model (LD model 3),
E [MeV]
microscopic level densities based on Goriely`s tables
and Hilaire`s combinatorial tables (LD model 4 and FIG. 14: Obtained results are compared with
LD model 5) and temperature dependent Hantree- ENDF/B-VII 0, JEFF 3.3, JEFF 3.2, BROND 3.1,
Fock-Bogoliubov model, Gogny force (LD model 6) JENDL, MENDL-2, EAF-2010, FENDL-3.1,
[30, 3439]. Obtained values of the cross-sections for TENDL-2017 databases[2] and with existing
18.1 MeV used by TALYS 1.9 code are compared with experimental data [2529] for 187 Re(n,p)187 W reaction.
the value calculated from the experiment in tab.VI. Also,
in g.15 is presented comparison of TALYS simulated
values with existing experimental data and the unfolded
cross-section functions in energy range of interest. selected as incident particles, with energies form above
resonance vlues for neutrons to several hundreds MeV.
Nuclear model on which relies EMPIRE can be seen in
ref [40]. Input parameters are based on RIPL-3 library
B. Calculations using EMPIRE - 3.2.3 [22].
As with the TALYS 1.9 calculations, for both reac-
EMPIRE is system of codes based on several nuclear tions of interest cross-sections are calculated using EM-
models used for calculating various parameters of interest PIRE 3.2.3 in energy interval 13 - 20 MeV. Everything is
in nuclear physics. Heavy and light ions, α particles, done with default parameters for code. Only level den-
3
He, tritons, deuteronsm nucleons and photons can be sities are changed between: Levden 0 (EMPIRE specic
 10

TABLE VI: TALYS calculations compared with calculated walues for 18.1MeV

Cross section [b]

Energy[MeV] Reaction Measured LDmodel1 LDmodel2 LDmodel3 LDmodel4 LDmodel5 LDmodel6
185
Re(n,3n)183 Re 0.834(59) 1.568 1.411 1.422 1.563 1.213 1.155
18.1 187
Re(n,p)187 W 0.0049(20) 0.0094 0.0124 0.0119 0.0093 0.0094 0.0096

LD model 1 1.6 Levden 0

LD model 2 Levden 1
LD model 3 Levden 2
1.5 LD model 4 Levden 3
LD model 5 Unfolded function

Cross section [b]

Cross section [b]

LD model 6 1.2
Upper error corridor
Unfolded function
Upper error corridor Lower error corridor
Lower error corridor Gongping Li, 2002
1.0 Gongping Li, 2002
0.8

0.5
0.4

(a) (a)
0.0 0.0

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
E [MeV] E [MeV]

0.016 LD model 1
LD model 2 Levden 0 Unfolded function
LD model 3 Levden 1 Upper error corridor
LD model 4 0.012 Levden 2 Lower error corridor
LD model 5 Levden 3
LD model 6
A.A.Filatenkov, 2016
Cross section [b]

Cross section [b]

Unfolded function
0.012 Upper error corridor C.Konno, 1993
Lower error corridor Xiangzhong, 1997
A.A.Filatenkov, 2016 N.I.Molla, 1977
C.Konno, 1993 0.008 R.F.Coleman, 1959
Xiangzhong, 1997
N.I.Molla, 1977
0.008 R.F.Coleman, 1959

0.004

0.004

(b) (b)
0.000
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
E [MeV] E [MeV]
FIG. 15: TALYS 1.9 calculations compared with FIG. 16: EMPIRE 3.2.3 calculations compared with
existing experimental data [2429] and results from this existing experimental data [2429] and results from this
work for reactions: (a)185 Re(n,3n)183 Re; work for reactions: (a)185 Re(n,3n)183 Re;
(b)187 Re(n,p)187 W (b)187 Re(n,p)187 W

C. Calculations using dierent formulas for (n,p)

level densities, code default), Levden 1 (Generalised Su-
peruid Model), Levden 2 (Gilbert-Cameron model) and
Levden 3 (Hantree-Fock-Bogoliubov model). In tab. VII
are compared cross-sections obtained by EMPIRE code
and our calculated value for 18.1 MeV and in g. 16
comparison between experimental data values, unfolded
function and EMPIRE 3.2.3 calculations in energy range
13 - 20 MeV.
reaction
There are several semi-empirical formulas from dier-
ent authors that calculate cross-sections for (n,p) reac-
tion for dierent mass numbers of the target nucleus cal-
culated for various purposes (Refs. [4147]). Formulas
that calculate cross-section for neutron energies around
14.5 MeV are shown in tab. VIII and calculated values of
the cross-sections for reaction 187 Re(n,p)187 W compared

TABLE VII: Empire calculations compared with calculated values for 18.1MeV
Cross section [b]
Energy[MeV] Reaction Measured Levden 0 Levden 1 Levden 2 Levden 3
185
Re(n,3n)183 Re 0.834(59) 0.8397
18.1
187Re(n,p)187W 0.0049(20) 0.00576 0.00609 0.00572 0.00604
with experimental data available [3] and with obtained
values from unfolded function in this work are shown in
tab. IX.
VI. DISCUSSIONS
Cross section values for 185 Re(n,3n)183 Re reaction ob-
tained in this work have good agreement with evaluated
data (FIG SS and also with the one exited experimen-
tal data (Fig SD). Values follow the growth with energy
and do not show any signicant change in the behaviour
for the whole energy range. Biggest deviations com-
pared to our unfolded function are shown with data from
JEFF-3.3 and JEF 2.2 databases and best agreement ate
with ROSFOND-2010 database. The values of the cross-
section measured for this reaction for neutron energy
of 18.1 MeV show perfect matching with ROSFOND-
2010 database (Fig SS). The cross-sections calculated
values with the TALYS 1.9 for 185 Re(n.3n)183 Re reac-
tion have tendencies of increasing with the neutron en-
ergy energy, with no signicant changes in behaviour in
energy region of interest, which is in correlation with ex-
isting evaluated data. But values of cross-sections have
somewhat overestimated values in comparison with eval-
uations (Fig SS and Fig SS). The best agreement with
data obtained unfolding function is result calculated with
level density model 6 (LD model 6), which is based on
temperature-dependent Hartree-Fock-Bogolyubov calcu-
lation using Gogny force[39]. The EMPIRE 3.2.3 calcu-
lations show also the growth trend with the whole energy
region form 13 to 20 MeV, which corresponds with the
predictions of existing evaluated and the TALYS 1.9 cal-
culation, but values are slightly underestimated. The ob-
tained unfolding function in this work is the closest to the
results obtained using the level density model (Levden)
2, which is based on Gilbert-Cameron model. Genitally,
the EMPIRE 3.2.2 calculations show better agreement
with our data then the TALYS 1.9 results.
The cross-sections values measured in this work for the
185
Re(n,p)187 W reaction have slightly lower values com-
pared to the dierent evaluations and to the existed ex-
perimental data in the energy region 13 - 16 MeV (g.14).
Unfolded function from 16 MeV energy does not show
further increasing trend with the neutron energy energy.
The measured value of the cross-section for the energy
18.1 MeV has the best match with EAF-2010 database.
As for the TALYS 1.9 calculations, values of the cross-
sections and their dependency of the energy is in cor-
11
0.6998 0.7994 0.5737
relation with existing experimental values until 15 MeV
(where data exist) and with evaluated data in the whole
energy interval of interest. Obtained unfolded function
in this work have lower values in the whole energy range
13 - 20 MeV when the TALYS 1.9 calculations (g.15).
The cross-sections for the 187 Re(n,p)187 W reaction which
come from the EMPIRE 3.2.2 calculations also show the
growth in the whole energy range of interest but have
lower values compared to existing values in range 13 - 15
MeV energy and lower values compared to all evaluations
(g.16). Our unfolding function has higher values until
17 MeV. Semi-empirical formulas used in this work by
several authors give various values of the cross-section at
the energy of 14.5 MeV and he best match with our value
obtained from the unfolded function is with Habbani [46]
(tab. IX).
VII. CONCLUSIONS
In this work, the cross-section values for the
187
Re(n,p)187 W and 185 Re(n,3n)183 Re reactions were
measured by using the NAXSUN technique in the inci-
dent neutron energy range from 13.08 to 19.5 MeV. Those
results are the rst experimental data for both reactions
for neutron energies between 15 and 19.5 MeV. The cross
section functions were determinated by the spectrum un-
folding procedures and normalized by means of a dedi-
cated cross-section measurement for neutron energy of
18.1 MeV. Obtained data show very good agreement with
existing experimental data [24] for 185 Re(n,3n)183 Re re-
action. However, for 187 Re(n,p)187 W reaction our data
have lower values then the existed ones [2529]. Also,
we compared obtained results with dierent evaluated
data [2]. For 185 Re(n,3n)183 Re reaction this compari-
son shows good agreement with all evaluations with spe-
cially matching with ROSFOND-2010 data. In case of
185
Re(n,3n)183 Re reaction, all evaluated data have higher
values in comparison with our results and data from this
work are best in line with EAF- 2010 data. In this study
the TALYS 1.9 and EMPIRE 3.2.3 calculations were done
using dierent available models. The results show the
better agreement between our data with EMPIRE 3.2.3
then with TALYS 1.9 calculations. In summary, our new
data on neutron induced reaction on rhenium isotopes
may be useful for improvement of evaluations and nu-
clear models calculations as well for any application of
these reactions.
 12

TABLE VIII: Dierent formulas for reaction (n,p)

Author Formula for σn,p Mass region Reference

Kasugai σn,p = 1264(N − Z + 1) exp(− 46.63(NA−Z+1) ) 28 ≤ A ≤ 187 [41]
(N −Z)2
Doczi σn,p = 18.12(A1/3 + 1)2 exp(−19.61 (N −Z)
a
+ A2
) 28 ≤ A ≤ 209 [42]
(N −Z) (N −Z)2
Forrest σn,p = 900(A + 1) exp(−49.27 A + 197.1 A2 − 0.45A )
1/3 2 1/2
40 ≤ A ≤ 187 [43]
−Z1)
Alt-Tahar σn,p = 90.68(A1/3 + 1)2 exp(− 34.48(N
A
) 40 ≤ A ≤ 187 [44]
−Z)
Luo σn,p = 62.98(A1/3 + 1)2 exp(−34.45 (NA ) 46 ≤ A ≤ 196 [45]
Habbani σn,p = 60.34(A1/3 + 1)2 exp(−34.44 (N −Z+1)
A
) 28 ≤ A ≤ 208 (even A) [46]
−Z)
σn,p = 20.91(A1/3 + 1)2 exp(−29.53 (NA ) 29 ≤ A ≤ 209 (odd A)
−Z)
Levkovski σn,p = 50.21(A1/3 + 1)2 exp(− 33.80(N
A
) 40 ≤ A ≤ 209 [47]

TABLE IX: Values of σn,p at the energy around

14.5MeV

Source E[MeV] σn,p [mb]

Kasugai 3.68
Doczi 17.56
Forrest 11.31
14.5
Alt-Tahar 3.7
Luo 3.11
Habbani 2.74
Flatenkov [27] 14.46 3.48
Coleman [26] 14.5 3.93
Konno [25] 14.44 5.33
This work 14.5 2.05

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