Deconvolution approach for determining absolute prompt γ-ray intensities of 52V yielded from the 51V(n, γ)52V reaction at the Dalat Nuclear Research Reactor

Abstract

All previous research relied on equipment such as Compton suppression spectrometers or coincidence spectrometers to determine the absolute prompt $\gamma$-ray intensities of ⁵²V obtained from ⁵¹V(n, $\gamma$) reaction. In the present work, we utilize a deconvolution method to determine the absolute prompt $\gamma$-ray intensities of the ⁵²V measured by the HPGe detector of the PGNA spectrometer at horizontal channel No. 2 of the Dalat Nuclear Research Reactor (DNRR). This new method is based on the validated Geant4 simulation to deconvolute the prompt $\gamma$-ray spectrum of ⁵²V and an in-beam saturated neutron capture reaction in a vanadium foil as the research sample and self-internal standard. Subsequently, by counting the 1.434 MeV delayed $\gamma$-ray peak emitted by ⁵²V, the absolute prompt $\gamma$-ray intensities can be obtained. These $\gamma$-ray intensities were then compared to those in the ENSDF database and other references, which show a good agreement.