Optical model potential parameter optimization for nucleon-induced reactions on ⁴⁰Ca: Implications on γ-ray production cross sections for residual Argon nuclei

¹ CRNA, 02 Boulevard Frantz Fanon, B.P. 399 Alger-gare, Algiers, Algeria
² University of Sciences and Technology Houari Boumediene (USTHB), Laboratory of Nuclear Sciences and Radiation-Matter Interactions (SNIRM-DGRSDT), Faculty of Physics, P.O. Box 32, EL Alia, 16111 Bab Ezzouar, Algiers, Algeria
³ Centre de Sciences Nucléaires et de Sciences de la Matière (CSNSM), CNRS-IN2P3 et Université de Paris-Sud, 91405 Orsay Campus, France
⁴ iThemba LABS, National Research Foundation, P.O. Box 722, Somerset West 7129, South Africa
⁵ Department of Physics, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa
⁶ Department of Physics, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville 7535, South Africa
⁷ Université M’Hamed Bougara, Institut de Génie Electrique et Electronique, 35 000 Boumerdés, Algeria
⁸ Institut de Physique Nucléaire (IPN), CNRS-IN2P3 et Université Paris-Sud, 91405 Orsay Campus, France
⁹ Department of Physics and Engineering University of Zululand Private Bag X1001, Kwa-Dlangezwa 3886 South Africa
¹⁰ Department of Physics, University of Cape Town, Private Bag X3, 7701 Rondebosch, South Africa

^* Corresponding author: w.yahiacherif@crna.dz
^⸸ Retired

Published online: 14 March 2025

Abstract

We have optimized the optical model potential (OMP) parameters for nucleon (protons and neutrons) induced reaction on 40Ca using the OPTMAN code available on the RIPL-3 data library. The potentials, geometrical and nuclear deformation parameters were extracted via fitting angular distribution data for proton/neutron elastic and inelastic scattering (Ep,n = 0 – 200 MeV) taken from the EXFOR data library. Our results demonstrate improvement in the prediction of the angular distribution cross sections compared to the Koning-Delaroche OMP. We have, then, calculated the γ-ray production cross sections of the most intense transitions emitted by 38Ar (Eγ = 2167.47 keV) and 36Ar (Eγ = 1970.38 keV) residual nuclei produced in 40Ca(p,xγ)(38,36)Ar, using both our OMP parameters and TALYS build-in OMP parameters. The results of the calculations were compared with preliminary cross section data extracted in the analysis of 40Ca(p,xγ2168 keV)38Ar, and 40Ca(p,xγ1970 keV)36Ar for incident proton energies ranging from 30 – 125 MeV.