Photon strength functions in Gd isotopes studied from resonance neutron capture

Title: Photon strength functions in Gd isotopes studied from resonance neutron capture Author: RNDr. Jiří Kroll Department: Intitute of particle and nuclear physics Supervisor: doc. Mgr. Milan Krtička, Ph.D., Intitute of particle and nuclear physics Abstract: Photon strength functions have been studied for more than sixty years. A number of theoretical models was proposed to describe experimental data during that time. However, the correctness of these models is still very questionable and its verification is the subject of very intensive experimental and theoretical activity at present time. In this thesis the analysis of spectra of γ rays following the radiative capture of neutrons on isolated neutron resonances of 152,154−158 Gd nuclei is used to study photon strength functions. Experimental data were measured using segmented DANCE calorimeter that is installed at Los Alamos Neutron Scattering Center in New Mexico, USA. Experimental spectra are then compared with the outputs of Monte Carlo simulation of nuclear elec- tromagnetic decay, performed by DICEBOX code, that is based on the validity of the so-called Extreme Statistical Model. The response of the detector system to generated γ cascades was subsequently calculated using the Geant4 code. An analysis of the data clearly indicates that magnetic..