Neutron-capture gamma-ray spectra of the tungsten isotopes

Abstract

The spectra of gamma radiation following reactor-neutron capture in separated tungsten isotopes have been measured with a three-crystal scintillation pair spectrometer as well as with a single-crystal scintillation counter, and with both in coincidence. Energies and intensities of the gamma rays from product nuclei 183W, 184W, 185W and 187W are reported. From those gamma rays identified as ground-state transitions, the neutron binding energies of these four isotopes respectively are deduced to be 6.10, 7.48, 5.86 and 5.34 MeV. The presence of considerable high-energy structure in each of the spectra indicates that direct capture and/or anomalous resonance capture processes may be of importance.