IMPROVING THE CROSS-SECTIONS OF REACTIONS OF FAST-NEUTRONS WITH ZR-90 AND ZR-91 UNDER FORMATION OF NUCLIDES IN AN ISOMERIC STATE

In neutron-activation analysis of the elements of zirconium alloys used in nuclear applications, one must know the precise values of the nuclear data, specifically the cross sections of the reactions of fast neutrons (E//n approx. 14 MeV) at zirconium isotopes under formation of nuclides in isomeric states. Since the half-lives T one-half are relatively short and since gamma radiation can be readily recorded, such nuclides are of definite interest for fast analyses of elements. In order to improve the cross section values, the authors studied the (n,p), (n,2n), and (n, alpha ) reactions at the nuclide **9**0Zr and the (n,p) reaction at the nuclide **9**1Zr. Zirconium samples of the natural isotope composition were used.