Measurement of the 13C(n, γ) thermal cross section via neutron irradiation and AMS

Abstract

Ampoules of amorphous 99.5% enriched 13C were irradiated at the PF1b neutron beam line at the high-flux ILL research reactor in order to produce 14C atoms. The precise ratio of 14C/13C was subsequently measured at the VERA Accelerator Mass Spectrometer, allowing the 13C(n,γ)14C thermal cross section to be accurately determined. This is the first measurement of this cross section at sub-eV energies via this technique and the result of 1. 52 ± 0. 07 mb for the thermal cross section is in good agreement with other recent measurements which were performed via Prompt Gamma-ray Activation Analysis.