THERMAL NEUTRON CAPTURE CROSS-SECTION OF Na23 AND Mn55

The thermal neutron capture cross sections of Na23 and Mn55 have been determined using the activation method. The values are 0.53 ± 0.03 and 12.7 ± 0.3 barns respectively with respect to σAul97 = 93 barns. These agree well with recent pile oscillator results. The half-life for Mn56 is found to be 2.576 ± 0.002 hr.