Study of the 127I(γ,n)126I reaction

Abstract

The photoneutron spectrum arising from the 127I(γ,n)126I reaction, when induced by monochromatic 9.72-MeV neutron-capture γ rays, has been investigated with a 3He neutron spectrometer. From an evaluation of the energies of the emitted neutrons, several excited states of 126I have been determined. The states deduced are in general agreement with earlier findings, albeit some of the peaks observed in the present experiment may correspond to unresolved neutron groups populating several closely spaced levels. In addition to the observation of a new level at 146 keV, the reaction Q value is found to be 9145 ± 3 keV.