Validation of ENDF Inelastic Gamma Production Cross Sections Using the Baghdad Atlas

Gamma production from inelastic neutron scattering is important for many reasons – neutron transport modeling, fast neutron production, the analysis of isotopic samples using active neutron interrogation, and the development of nuclear reaction and structure models. Despite its importance, resources for validating the inelastic scattering gamma production data stored in the Evaluated Nuclear Data File (ENDF) library are scarce, and more information is needed. The Baghdad Atlas is a collection of data originated from a measurement campaign conducted at the Baghdad Research Reactor and is one of the most comprehensive collection of data on this type of gamma production. It is thus one of the best data validation resources currently available on inelastic gamma production cross sections. Comparison between the Baghdad Atlas and ENDF, however, is difficult due to the way the gamma production data is stored in ENDF for many isotopes. The purpose of this work is to develop a method for the cross section reconstruction and to validate the inelastic scattering gamma production in the ENDF database using the Baghdad Atlas. The major steps of this research include parsing the ENDF files, constructing level scheme, performing cascade calculations, as well as estimating the contribution from the quasi-contribution. The research being done will allow for the comparison of the data from the Baghdad Atlas to the ENDF database, which may ultimately improve the accuracy of the library itself.