Photoneutron cross sections for Mo isotopes: A step toward a unified understanding of (γ,n) and (n,γ) reactions.

Photoneutron cross sections were measured for 94Mo, 95Mo, 96Mo, 97Mo, 98Mo, and 100Mo near the neutron threshold with quasi-monochromatic laser-Compton scattering γ rays. The photoneutron data were analyzed with the Skyrme Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov (HFB) plus quasiparticle random phase approximation (QRPA) model and the axially symmetric-deformed Gogny HFB plus QRPA model of El γ-ray strength. Combining the γ-ray strength function constrained by the present photoneutron data with either the nuclear resonance fluorescence data or the updated Oslo data to supplement the data below the neutron threshold, a thorough analysis of the reverse (n,γ) cross sections is made whenever measurements are available. The Oslo data and the corresponding uncertainties are updated based on the latest results of the S-wave neutron spacing and the average radiative width determined in particular for 96Mo. Finally, radiative neutron capture cross sections for two radioactive nuclei, 93Mo and 99Mo, are deduced with the γ-ray strength function method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]