Pre-equilibrium neutron-emission spectra of 238U with an effective nucleon–nucleon interactions

In this study, the initial exciton numbers for the target nucleus 238U were calculated through a new method offered by Tel et al. (Ann. Nucl. Energy, 35, 220, 2008). Neutron-emission spectra produced by (n,xn) reactions on 238U nuclei have been calculated by using Hartree–Fock method with effective nucleon–nucleon Skyrme interactions with SKM∗ parameters. Pre-equilibrium nuclear reactions have been used to investigate the effect of initial exciton numbers on the nucleon emission spectra. Calculations have been made in the framework of the hybrid, equilibrium and GDH models using ALICE/ASH computer code. The initial exciton numbers calculated with the theoretical neutron and proton densities have been obtained with SKM∗ for the 238U(n,xn) reaction at 14.0 and 18.0 MeV incident neutron energies. We also compared the geometry-dependent hybrid model (GDH), newly evaluated with the initial exciton number calculations of the neutron emission spectra of the 238U(n,xn) reaction. The obtained results are discussed and compared with the available experimental data and are shown to be in agreement with each other. All calculated results have been compared with experimental data from Experimental Nuclear Reaction Data (EXFOR).

► Pre-equilibrium nuclear reactions for 238U(n,xn) have been investigated.
► The initial exciton numbers were calculated through a new method offered by Tel et al.
► The obtained results are discussed and compared with experimental data.