The Inelastic Scattering of Neutrons

Abstract

The total cross section and the differential cross section for the inelastic scattering of neutrons are considered. It is assumed that the compound nucleus is sufficiently excited so that the statistical model may be applied. If the statistical model may be applied as well to the residual nucleus, it is shown that the angular distribution of the inelastically scattered neutrons is isotropic. If only a few levels of the target nucleus can be excited, the angular distribution is anisotropic. Tables are provided which permit the calculation of the angular distribution if the incident and emergent neutron angular momenta are less than or equal to $3\ensuremath{\hbar}$. Examples of the evaluation of total cross sections are given, providing examples of the sensitivity of the results to the quantum numbers of the excited state.