Ground-state and isomeric-state cross sections for 181 Ta( n , 2 n ) 180 Ta between 8 and 15 MeV
Using the activation technique, the cross section for the reaction 181 Ta(n,2n) 180g Ta was measured from 8 to 15 MeV in small energy steps to resolve inconsistencies in the existing database. The 93.4 keV γ ray from the decay of the 180g Ta ground state was recorded with a high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector. The monitor reactions 27 Al(n,α) 24 Na and 197 Au(n,2n) 196 Au were used for neutron fluence determination. The ENDF VII.1 and TENDL 2011 evaluations are in considerable disagreement with the present data, which in turn agree very well with the majority of the existing data in the 14 MeV energy region. Furthermore, a detailed analysis using the code TALYS was performed to describe the present data and to predict the (n,2n) cross section to the isomeric state of 180 Ta.