New empirical formula for calculating (n, p) reaction cross-sections at 14.5 MeV neutrons

Abstract

An empirical formula to calculate the (n, p) reaction cross-sections for 14.5 MeV neutrons for 183 target nuclei in the range 44 <= A <= 212 is presented. Evaluated cross-section data from TENDL nuclear data library were used to test and benchmark the formula. In this new formula, the nonelastic cross-section term is replaced by the atomic number Z, while the asymmetry parameter-dependent exponential term has been retained. The calculated results are presented in comparison with the seven previously published formulae. We show that the new formula is significantly in better agreement with the measured values compared to previously published formulae.