Total and isomeric-state cross sections for theGe76(n,2n)Ge75reaction

Abstract

The cross section for the reaction 76 Ge(n,2n) 75 Ge to both the isomeric and ground state of 75 Ge has been measured with the activation method between 10 and 15 MeV in small energy steps to help resolve inconsistencies in the existing database. The 197 Au(n,2n) 196 Au reaction with its known cross section was used for normalization of the data, which are compared to experimental and evaluated data of the EXFOR, EAF, JENDL, ENDF, and TENDL libraries. Model calculations using the TALYS-1.8 code are presented which also allow for the extrapolation to higher neutron energies. The data are important to estimate potential neutron-induced backgrounds in currently running large-scale experiments aimed at the discovery of neutrinoless double-beta decay of 76 Ge.