Neutron total and scattering cross sections of niobium in the continuum region

Abstract

Neutron total and elastic and inelastic scattering cross sections of niobium are measured in the incident energy interval 0.25 to 0.5 MeV. Total neutron cross sections are determined to a few per cent accuracy throughout the energy interval. Differential elastic and inelastic neutron scattering cross sections are measured at ~,, 20 scattering angles distributed between 20 and 160 degrees and at incident neutron energy intervals of 0.1 MeV from 1.8 to 4.0 MeV. The cross sections for the inelastic neutron excitation of 11 states with Q-values of --*2 520 keV are quantitatively measured and the excitation of an additional 8 states qualitatively observed. Calculations based upon a selected optical potential give a good description of total neutron cross sections to 20.0 MeV and of elastic scattering cross sections extending from low energies where compoundnucleus processes are prominent to high energies where" shape" scattering predominates. Inelastic neutron scattering cross sections are calculated from the optical potential and statistical theory and comparison with the corresponding experimental values suggests the spins and parities of the low-energy excited states.

Unconventional Applications of Superconducting Nanowire Single Photon Detectors

“…Another option for magnetic field-tolerant devices would also be to fabricate them out of high- materials. Experiments expecting high radiation fields or high-energy particle bombardment should also tend towards use of the crystalline materials, specifically NbN, because Nb has comparatively low neutron capture [ 98 ] and scattering [ 98 , 99 ] cross-sections and the short screening length [ 100 , 101 ] makes it more robust against lattice defects.…”