Neutron capture by (94,96)Zr and the decays of (97)Zr and (97)Nb

Cross sections for radiative neutron capture have been determined for (94)Zr and (96)Zr using the activation technique with samples of naturally occurring Zr metal. The sensitivity to the correction for epithermal neutrons in the determination of small thermal cross sections is discussed, particularly in view of the variation in the resonance integral at different sites in the reactor. Gamma-ray spectroscopic studies of the decays of (97)Zr and its daughter (97)Nb have been performed, leading to improved values of the energies and intensities of the emitted γ rays, and correspondingly improved values for the energy levels and β feedings of excited states populated in (97)Nb and (97)Mo.