Measurement of the neutron-induced total cross sections of natPb from 0.3 eV to 20 MeV on the Back-n at CSNS

The neutron-induced total cross sections of natural lead have been measured in a wide energy range (0.3 eV–20 MeV) on the back-streaming white neutron beamline (Back-n) at the China Spallation Neutron Source. Neutron energy was determined by the neutron total cross-section spectrometer using the time-of-flight technique. A fast multi-cell fission chamber was used as the neutron detector, and a 10-mm-thick high-purity natural lead sample was employed for the neutron transmission measurements. The on-beam background was determined using Co, In, Ag, and Cd filters. The excitation function of natPb(n, tot) reaction below 20 MeV was calculated using the TALYS-1.96 nuclear-reaction modeling program. The present results were compared with previous results, the evaluated data available in the five major evaluated nuclear data libraries (i.e., ENDF/B-VIII.0, JEFF-3.3, JENDL-5, CENDL-3.2, and BROND-3.1), and the theoretical calculation curve. Good agreement was found between the new results and those of previous experiments and with the theoretical curves in the corresponding region. This measurement obtained the neutron total cross section of natural lead with good accuracy over a wide energy range and added experimental data in the resonance energy range. This provides more reliable experimental data for nuclear engineering design and nuclear data evaluation of lead.