Determination of the default curve for the unfolding procedure in the measurement of threshold neutron excitation functions

In this study we have improved the technique for measuring the neutron activation cross-section using wide energy neutron beams (NAXSUN). We propose a method for the determination of the default function for the unfolding procedure, which is an important and critical part for extracting reaction cross-sections from this type of measurements. The new method was tested on the measurement of the excitation function from the threshold energy up to 5.6 MeV for the 113In(n,n')113mIn and 115In(n,n')115mIn reactions. - Highlights: • Determination of default curve for unfolding procedure solely based on actual measurement. • No input from data libraries or model calculations necessary