Theoretical calculation of n+Gd nuclear reaction

Background: Nuclear energy has the advantages of efficient, clean and reserves. Our country has launched a new type of nuclear reactor: thorium-based molten salt reactor nuclear system project since 2011. Purpose: We want to make sure the data of the nuclear reaction of n+Gd, including the total cross section, elastic scattering angular distribution, elastic scattering cross section, direct inelastic scattering cross section, absorption cross section, various of reaction channels cross section, double differential cross section of neutrons emitted, etc. The experimental data was compared and the theoretical results of nuclear reaction of n+Gd were given. Methods: First, the optical model is used to describe the nuclear reaction process, the reflection and refraction of light entering into a different media is used to describe the scattering and absorption of phenomenon of nuclear reaction, and a set of optical potential parameters is applied to describe the reaction. The total cross section, elastic scattering cross section, elastic scattering angular distributions and some other data were calculated based on the experimental data and this set of optical potential parameters. Then the direct inelastic scattering cross section was calculated on the basis of distorted wave Born approximation and optical potential parameters. Finally, based on the above calculation results and the theoretical of the unified Hauser-Feshbach and exciton model, the UNF program was used for calculating the variation of cross sections data and kinds of reaction channels. Results: The calculating results agree with the experimental data very well and can reflect the process of nuclear reaction approximately. Conclusions: The calculating results based on this set of optical potential parameters seem credible, and the process of nuclear reaction using the optical model assumption is reasonable. Based on the calculation of n+Gd, the Gd element can be used as a nuclear reactor control rod material, and nuclear reaction rate is controlled by absorbing neutrons, so that the nuclear reaction process goes more stable and more secure. (authors)