γ spectroscopy of neutron irradiated 241Am samples

241Am goes by neutron capture to the two 242Am states: the ground and the meta-stable. We have measured both thermal cross sections, with a relative uncertainty of 7%, by γ-spectroscopy of neutron irradiated 241Am samples. The results are: σcg.s.=σc(241Am(nth,γ)242Amg.s.)=636±46 barns and σcm=σc(241Am(nth,γ)242Amm)=60±4 barns. These measurements lead to a ratio σcg.s./σctot=0.914±0.007 with a total capture cross section σctot=696±48 barns. While the ratio is compatible with previous measurements, the total capture cross section σctot is increased by 16% with respect to the JENDL-3.2 value.