On the search for a (n,f) cross-section reference at intermediate energies

The (n,f) cross-sections proposed as references by the IAEA for 235 U, 238 U and 209 Bi are compared with a new analysis that combines the measurements performed at CERN-n_TOF of their cross-section ratios with new calculations done using Monte Carlo codes based on phenomenological models INCL+ +, GEMINI+ +, and ABLA07. The calculations are cross-checked with those for the (p,f) reactions, where experimental values are available. We have evaluated in this way the (n,f) cross sections for 238 U, 235 U and 209 Bi, in the intermediate energy region going from 190 MeV to 2 GeV. Our results definitively discard the JENDL/HE-2007 evaluations above 300 MeV, falling inside the confidence corridor proposed by IAEA but for the points around 300–400 MeV where a discrepancy is to be noticed.