Fast Neutron Cross Sections in the 2s-1d Shell

Abstract

<p> A new technique has be~n developed for the measurement of fast neutron total cross-sections in the range 0.8 -> 3.0 MeV using the fast neutrons from a reactor. The method was used to obtain the cross-section of six elements in the 2s-1d shell. Various analytical techniques have been applied to measure the behavior of the average cross-sections and delineate the properties of the observed resonances. From these results the resonances are confirmed as examples of "doorway" states, and conclusions are drawn about the distributions of the parameters of these states. The average properties are related to nuclear models of the origin and characteristics of states of high excitation in the target nuclides.</p>