Neutron-Induced Partial Cross-Section Measurements on $^{76}$Ge Motivated by The Majorana Project 0$\nu\beta\beta$ Decay Search

The goal of the Majorana Collaboration is to study 0$\nu\beta\beta$ in order to verify that the neutrino is its own anti-particle; and if so, what is the mass ofthe electron neutrino. Observation of a sharp peak at the $\beta\beta$ endpoint energy will confirm 0$\nu\beta\beta$ as a decay mode, and determination of the partial width will determine the matrix element which depends directly on the electron neutrino mass. In order to observe and verify the existence of 0$\nu\beta\beta$, it is important to reduce intrinsic, extrinsic,\& cosmogenic backgrounds. The Majorana Project will operate with HPGe detectors deep underground to achieve a low-background environment. Recent advances in signal processing and detector design have also enabled scientists to further understand background sources. $\gamma$-ray spectra from the interaction of pulsed mono-energetic neutrons with $^{76}$Ge were measured at TUNL using segmented HPGe clover detectors. The neutron-induced partial cross-sections for $\gamma$ transitions in $^{76}$Ge were measured at E$_n$ = 8 and 12MeV.