Generalized optical model potential derived from a systematic fast neutron elastic scattering study

Abstract

Analytical descriptions of fast neutron elastic scattering cross-sections and generalized optical model parameter sets are of great value in connection with reactor shielding calculations as well as for predictions of the nuclear properties of fission products. Such descriptions and generalizations have previously been presented on the basis of scattered experimental information, contrary to the present evaluation which is founded on a relatively large set of neutron data. The neutron elastic scattering data collected at our laboratory for a number of elements and at several neutron energies have been used in an attempt to get generalized analytical expressions for some parameters of the spherical optical model potential, i.e. the real and imaginary potential depths and the radii of these potentials. Even if the experimental information is comparatively extensive it is still somewhat too meagre in some atomic mass ranges to be used for such a purpose. Thus the present work does not exclude future cross-section measurements for several elements but it makes it possible to estimate cross-sections for elements where experimental information is lacking.