Neutron resonance spectroscopy: Argon

Results are presented of the high resolution measurements of the neutron total cross section of natural argon to 580 keV. Of the 24 levels observed in ${}_{}{}^{40}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Ar}$, 6 are assigned to be $l=0, \mathrm{and} 18$ to be $l=1\mathrm{}$. Resonance parameters were obtained using area and $R$-matrix analyses for $s$ levels, and area analysis including the Doppler broadening effect for $p$ levels. The $s$ and $p$ strength functions and average level spacings for ${}_{}{}^{40}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Ar}$ were $10{}_{}{}^4{}_{}{}^{}S_0^{}{}_{}{}^{}={0.91}_{-0.37\mathrm{}}^{+0.77\mathrm{}}$, $10{}_{}{}^4{}_{}{}^{}S_1^{}{}_{}{}^{}={0.33}_{-0.09\mathrm{}}^{+0.14\mathrm{}}$, $〈D_0〉=\left({87}_{-11\mathrm{}}^{+13\mathrm{}}\right)$ keV, and $〈D_1〉=\left({24}_{-4\mathrm{}}^{+5\mathrm{}}\right)$ keV.