The Production of38Ar and39Ar by 14-MeV Neutrons on39K

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Abstract
We have determined the cross sections for the production of 38Ar and 39Ar from the (n, n’p) and (n,p) reactions by neutrons of ∼14 MeV incident on 39K. Three potassium-bearing specimens were irradiated with fluences of ∼1017 neutrons, and the argon isotopes were measured by mass spectrometry. Previously reported measurements are in substantial disagreement with our results. Values from the three new measurements are consistent with each other and our computational modeling. Nevertheless, there remains an unexplained increase in the cross sections for both reactions as the neutron energy increases from ≍14.5 to 14.8 MeV.