Pre-equilibrium effects on (n,p) reactions of Gd and Dy isotopes from threshold to 20 MeV

Abstract The excitation functions of (n,p) reactions for the 13 stable isotopes of rare earth Gd and Dy elements are calculated using TALYS-1.4 code from threshold to 20 MeV. The optimization of input parameters has been done before running the code. The global optical model potential for neutron and proton proposed by Koning and Delaroche has been adopted in the calculations. The cross-sections are calculated using Hauser Feshbach statistical model for compound nucleus contribution with constant temperature and Fermi gas nuclear level density model. The effect of pre-equilibrium has been checked by invoking different pre-equilibrium models in the code. A good agreement between experimental data (EXFOR) and the calculated cross-sections using two component exciton model with optical model for collision probabilities (Preeqmode 3) has been found. It is also found that the pre-equilibrium contribution dominates in these (n,p) reactions.