Cross-section measurements of neutron-induced reactions on Ge isotopes in the neutron energy range 14.0–18.9 MeV

The cross sections of the $^{70}\mathrm{Ge}(n,2n)^{69}\mathrm{Ge}, ^{72}\mathrm{Ge}(n,\ensuremath{\alpha})^{69\mathrm{m}}\mathrm{Zn}, ^{72}\mathrm{Ge}(n,p)^{72}\mathrm{Ga}, ^{73}\mathrm{Ge}(n,n\ensuremath{\alpha})^{69\mathrm{m}}\mathrm{Zn}, ^{73}\mathrm{Ge}(n,np/d)^{72}\mathrm{Ga},^{73}\mathrm{Ge}(n,p)^{73}\mathrm{Ga},^{74}\mathrm{Ge}(n,\ensuremath{\alpha})^{71\mathrm{m}}\mathrm{Zn},^{74}\mathrm{Ge}(n,np/d)^{73}\mathrm{Ga}$, and $^{76}\mathrm{Ge}(n,2n)^{75}\mathrm{Ge}$ reactions have been experimentally determined via the activation technique, relative to the $^{27}\mathrm{Al}(n,\ensuremath{\alpha})^{24}\mathrm{Na}$ reference reaction in the energy range between 14.0 and 18.9 MeV. The quasi-monoenergetic neutron beams were produced via the $^{3}\mathrm{H}(d,n)^{4}\mathrm{He}$ reaction at the neutron beam facilities of NCSR ``Demokritos'' (Greece) and the accelerator for metrology and neutron applications in external dosimetry (AMANDE) of the Institute of Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN, France). After each irradiation, the samples' induced radioactivity was measured via $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray spectroscopy using HPGe detectors. Isotopically enriched Ge targets were utilized for all cross-section measurements, yielding more accurate cross-section results in comparison with the more widely used natural ones. Finally, theoretical calculations were performed via the empire 3.2.3 code, employing a coherent set of input parameters for the successful reproduction of all the aforementioned reaction channels.