  Background: Neutron-induced reactions are a significant concern for
experiments that require extremely low levels of radioactive backgrounds.
Measurements of gamma-ray production cross sections over a wide energy range
will help to predict and identify neutron backgrounds in these experiments.
Purpose: Determine partial gamma-ray production cross sections for
neutron-induced reactions in natural neon. Methods: The broad-spectrum neutron
beam at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE) was used for the
measurement. Gamma rays from neutron-induced reactions were detected using the
GErmanium Array for Neutron Induced Excitations (GEANIE). Results: Partial
gamma-ray cross sections were measured for the first excited-state transitions
in Ne-20 and Ne-22. The measured cross sections were compared to the TALYS and
CoH3 nuclear reaction codes. Conclusions: These are the first experimental data
for (n,n') reactions in neon. In addition to providing data to aid in the
prediction and identification of neutron backgrounds in low-background
experiments, these new measurements will help refine cross-section predictions
in a mass region where models are not well constrained.
