Study of secondary neutron interactions with ²³²Th, ¹²⁹I, and ¹²⁷I nuclei with the uranium assembly "QUINTA" at 2, 4, and 8 GeV deuteron beams of the JINR Nuclotron accelerator

The natural uranium assembly, "QUINTA", was irradiated with 2, 4, and 8 GeV deuterons. The ²³²Th, ¹²⁷I, and ¹²⁹I samples have been exposed to secondary neutrons produced in the assembly at a 20-cm radial distance from the deuteron beam axis. The spectra of gamma rays emitted by the activated ²³²Th, ¹²⁷I, and ¹²⁹I samples have been analyzed and several tens of product nuclei have been identified. For each of those products, neutron-induced reaction rates have been determined. The transmutation power for the ¹²⁹I samples is estimated. Experimental results were compared to those calculated with well-known stochastic and deterministic codes. - Highlights: • The natural uranium assembly, "QUINTA", was irradiated with 2, 4, and 8 GeV deuterons. The ²³²Th, ¹²⁷I, and ¹²⁹I samples have been exposed to secondary neutrons produced in the assembly at a 20-cm radial distance from the deuteron beam axis. • The spectra of gamma rays emitted by the activated ²³²Th, ¹²⁷I, and ¹²⁹I samples have been analyzed and several tens of product nuclei have been identified. • For each of those products, neutron-induced reaction rates have been determined. • The transmutation power for the ¹²⁹I samples is estimated. • Experimental results were compared to those calculated with well-known stochastic and deterministic codes.