Experimental and theoretical study of the (n,2n) reaction on ^174,176Hf isotopes

Cross sections for the 174Hf(n, 2n)173Hf and 176Hf(n, 2n)175Hf reactions have been measured at the 5.5 MV VdG Tandem accelerator of NCSR \Demokritos" in Athens, in the neutron energy region from 8.8 to 11.0 MeV, using the activation technique. An experimental method to account for the contamination of the 176Hf(n, 2n) reaction by the 174Hf(n, ) reaction activated by the parasitic neutrons of the beam is presented. Statistical model calculations have also been performed using the nuclear-reaction codes EMPIRE-II and TALYS. The results and the eect of the nuclear input parameters as well as pre-equilibrium emission are discussed in detail