Neutron Capture Gamma-Ray Yields in Iron

Gamma-ray yields as a function of neutron energy from thermal to 1 MeV for iron have been generated with a combined experimental and theoretical approach. The theoretical part is to a large extent statistical; however, parameters are introduced to compensate for the nonstatistical behavior. Experimental information used to evaluate these parameters are the branching ratios among discrete levels and the gamma-ray primary transitions from thermal and available resonance capture. A discussion of the implications of additional resonance capture yield data, which was made available after the completion of the calculation, is included. The results have been compared with integral experiments, and the agreement is favorable. Considerable variations in the capture gamma-ray yields as a function of incident neutron energy are noticed.