Emission probabilities of some intense prompt γ rays of 24Na, 28Al, 52V, 56Mn, 60Co, 142Pr, 187W and 198Au with thermal neutron capture determined using γ rays following β decay

Abstract Some emission probabilities of relatively intense or less contaminant prompt γ rays of 24 Na, 28 Al, 52 V, 56 Mn, 60 Co, 142 Pr, 187 W and 198 Au with thermal-neutron capture reactions were determined by successive measurement of γ rays following the β decay of produced radioisotopes, namely β-delayed γ rays. Prompt and β-delayed γ rays were measured with the same HPGe detector the efficiency of which is well determined for a wide energy range, from 0.1 to 11 MeV. The previously proposed values for 24 Na, 28 Al, 60 Co and 198 Au except for low energy, were generally in agreement with the present results, while those for 52 V, 56 Mn, 142 Pr and 187 W were not. The reasons for the disagreement are discussed in terms of the detection efficiencies of the detectors, the used nuclear data and the normalization procedure for determining prompt γ-ray intensities. The effectiveness of this method at checking the intensities of prompt γ rays is demonstrated.