Measurement of k0 values for europium, lutetium and iridium at FRM II with a very well thermalized neutron spectrum

The k0 values of 6 non-1/v nuclides (152Eu, 152mEu, 154Eu, 177Lu, 192Ir and 194Ir) were determined using the extended Høgdahl formalism at the research reactor FRM II with very high f values. Standards were irradiated in 4 channels at different local temperatures between 40 °C and 55 °C measured using temperature sensitive irreversible labels. A good agreement with the recommended values was found for 152Eu, 154Eu and 177Lu using the original g(Tn) factors by Gryntakis, however, the k0 values for 152mEu in this work were 7% higher. New k0 values were also determined using the g(Tn) factors by Van Sluijs. Differences up to 6% were found for Eu isotopes compared with the recommended values. The recommended k0 values for 192Ir and 194Ir could be confirmed using g = 1. The theoretical k0 values for 177Lu were calculated using new nuclear data. They are up to 6% less than the recommended values. The present k0 values determined in this work showed a similar trend. The influence of different g(Tn) factors on the determination of the k0 values was investigated.

Mots clés

k0 values, k0 NAA, g factors, Non-1/v nuclides, Westcott convention, Extended høgdahl formalism, Neutron temperature, Neutron activation analysis