Production cross-section of 53Mn via different reaction channels

Abstract

Long-lived activation products produced during the operation of fusion reactors may engender long-term waste disposal problems along with radiation damage. 53Mn (t1/2 = 3.7 Myear) is a long-lived radionuclide produced inside a fusion reactor via different pathways. Production cross-sections of 53Mn through neutron-induced reaction on stable nuclides via 54Fe(n,np)53Mn, 54Fe(n,2n)53Fe(β+)53Mn, 54Fe(n,d)53Mn reactions, on unstable nuclei via 54Mn(n,2n)53Mn, 55Fe(n,t)53Mn and 57Co(n,nα)53Mn reactions, and by sequential charged particle-induced reactions 50V(α,n)53Mn, 53Cr(p,n)53Mn, 52Cr(d,n)53Mn have been calculated in an energy range from threshold to 20 MeV using TALYS-1.9. Sequential charged particle-induced reactions make a significant contribution to the production of 53Mn inside a fusion reactor. Outgoing particle (ejectile) energy spectra show the presence of a high energy tail due to a pre-equilibrium contribution to charged particle reactions. Existing experimental data for the reactions considered are scarce and contradictory in the EXFOR data library, which is why these reactions are studied in the present work. Nuclear data related to the production of 53Mn via different reactions are briefly discussed.