Application of the Gadolinium Isotopes Nuclei Neutron-Induced Excitation Process

Abstract

The possibility of transformation of energy of fast and epithermal neutrons to energy of coherent photon radiation at the expense of a neutron pumping of the active medium formed by nucleus with long-living isomerous states is theoretically described. The channel of the nucleus formation in isomeric state as a daughter nucleus resulting from the nuclear reaction of neutron capture by a lighter nucleus is taken into consid-eration for the first time. The analysis of cross sections ’ dependence of radiative neutron capture by the nuclei of gadolinium isotopes Gd 155 and Gd 156 is performed. As a result, it is stated that the speed of Gd 156 nuclei formation exceeds the speed of their “ burnup ” in the neutron flux. It is provided by a unique combination of absorbing properties of two isotopes of gadolinium Gd 155 and Gd 156 in both thermal and resonance regions of neutron energy. Conditions required for making isotope nuclei excited by forward neutron scattering on nuclei and for storing nuclei in excited states are formulated. The possibility of excess energy accumulation in the participating medium created by the nuclei of the pair of gadolinium isotopes Gd 155 and Gd 156 due to formation and storage of nuclei in isomeric state at radiative neutron capture by the nuclei of the stable isotope with a smaller mass is shown. It is concluded that when the active medium created by gadolinium nuclei is pumped by neutrons with the flux density of the order of 10 13 cm (cid:1) 2 s (cid:1) 1 , the condition of levels population inversion can be achieved in a few tens of seconds. The wave length of the radiation generated by the medium is 0.0006 nm.