Precise measurements of cross sections for the reactions 59Co(n,2n)sup(58m+g)Co and 59Co(n,p)59Fe around 14 MeV

The cross sections for the reactions 59Co(n,2n)sup(58m+g)Co and 59Co(n,p)59Fe were measured at neutron energies of 13.5, 13.9, 14.5 and 14.8 MeV relative to the well known cross sections for the reaction 27Al(n,α)24Na using the activation technique. Knowledge of the ratio of the 59Co(n,2n) and 59Co(n,p) cross sections was essential to evaluate the activity measurements precisely. The (n,2n) isomeric cross-section ratio was measured at the energy 13.9 MeV by following the ground-state gamma-ray activity of 58Co. The experimental results were compared with nuclear model calculations. Using the new precise cross-section values makes the 59Co(n,2n)58Co reaction well suited as a reliable and handy fluence monitor for long-term 14 MeV neutron experiments. (author)