Abstract:
A spectral fitting routine was developed to analyze X-ray emissions in neutron capture decay
processes that produce ¹⁹⁷Hg and ¹⁹⁷Pt. Through correcting for X-ray emissions, the
77.3 keV γ gamma ray intensities were analyzed. The thermal cross sections for the production of
¹⁹⁷Hg and ¹⁹⁷Pt were found to be 2088 +/- 133 b and 0.62 +/- 5 b, respectively. Similarly,
The resonance integrals for the production of ¹⁹⁷Hg and ¹⁹⁷Pt agree with some historical
measurements and disagree with others. These cross section values agree with those determined
through the analysis of the 191 keV γ gamma ray produced in the neutron capture processes
that produce ¹⁹⁷Hg and ¹⁹⁷Pt.
A computational routine, 'Drive XSPEC', was developed to help determine the feasibility
of pursuing various science goals with future X-ray calorimeter spectrometer missions, most
significantly the NASA Advanced X-ray Spectroscopic Imaging Observatory (AXSIO) mission
concept, in anticipation of a Mission Design Laboratory (MDL) investigation. 'Drive
XSPEC' can run large scale spectral simulations, which can be applied to developing research
proposals, performing data analysis, and comparing instrument designs.
