Empirical systematics for (n, p) reaction cross sections at 14-15 MeV neutrons

In this study, three empirical formulae for calculating the (n, p) reaction cross section were derived from the EXFOR experimental data conducted over neutron energy range of 14-15 MeV. By incorporating the proton separation energy and binding energy into the principal formula, we obtained empirical formulae for estimating the (n, p) reaction cross sections for 128 nuclei that were classified into even-even, even-odd and odd-even sets of nuclei in the mass number range of 9 <= A <= 205. The TALYS 1.95 and EMPIRE 3.2 codes were used to evaluate the (n, p) cross sections for the selected nuclei within the specified neutron energy. The comparison of calculated cross sections from the proposed formulae with those from codes and previous systematics indicates the empirical formulae developed in this study are more accurate for experimental data predictions.