Neutron inelastic scattering of 232Th: measurements and beyond

Gamma production cross sections have been obtained for 81 transitions in Th-232 from (n,n'gamma), 11 in Th-231 from (n,2n gamma) and 7 in Th-230 from (n,3n gamma) reactions using prompt gamma spectroscopy. Incident neutron energies were determined using the neutron time-of-flight technique. Sources of uncertainty have been examined and their correlations have been computed. Total uncertainty on cross sections ranges from 4 to 20%. Obtained cross sections are in agreement with prior experiments, but are not well reproduced by the TALYS-1.8 reaction code using default parameters. During analysis, discrepancies between our findings and the Evaluated Nuclear Structure Data File (ENSDF) were noted. Future work related to the present experiment includes: improving theoretical models, quantifying the influence of the Th-232 inelastic neutron cross section on reactor core parameters, and conducting additional measurements.