Application of the surrogate reaction ratio method to measure the (n, xp) cross sections for nuclei with A ≈ 50–60

Abstract We explore the applicability of the surrogate reaction (SR) ratio method for determining ( n , xp ) cross sections, where an incoming neutron induces the emission of at least one proton from a nuclear target with a mass range of A ≈ 50–60. These cross sections are relevant for advanced nuclear technologies. Our findings reveal that, under specific conditions, the SR ratio method can yield reliable ( n , xp ) cross sections, similar to its success in determining ( n , f ) cross sections in actinides. However, not all SR pairs meet these conditions across the entire excitation energy range, necessitating careful application of the SR ratio method for determining ( n , xp ) cross sections.