Analysis of ¹¹⁵In(n,γ)^116mIn reaction cross-section and covariance for 13.52 MeV and 14.54 MeV neutron induced energies.

This article focuses on measuring the neutron-induced reaction cross-section of the ^115In(n,γ)^116mIn reaction at neutron energies of 13.520 ± 0.005 and 14.54 ± 0.24 MeV, using the ^197Au(n,γ)^198Au reaction as a monitor. Experiments were conducted at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre’s PURNIMA neutron generator in Mumbai, employing neutron activation analysis and offline gamma-ray spectrometry with a high-purity germanium detector calibrated by a ^152Eu source. The measured cross-sections were analyzed with covariance methods to account for uncertainties and were compared with evaluated nuclear data libraries (ENDF/B-VIII.0, JEFF-3.3, JENDL-4.0, ROSFOND-2010, CENDL-3.1) and theoretical calculations from the TALYS-1.9 nuclear reaction code. Results showed good agreement between experimental data and both evaluated libraries and TALYS-1.9 predictions, supporting the reliability of the measurements and theoretical modeling within the studied neutron energy range.