Neutron-Nucleus Total and Inelastic Cross Sections: 900 to 2600MeVc

Total cross sections have been measured for neutrons on 16 targets: 12 selected elements, muscle-tissue-equivalent plastic, water, shielding concrete, and plastic scintillator. The momenta of the incident neutrons 900 to 2600 $\frac{\mathrm{MeV}}{c}$ were determined by time of flight. Over-all uncertainties are of the order of 5%. The dependence of the total cross sections on the atomic weight of the targets can be approximated by an $A^{\beta }$ law, where $\beta$ varies with momentum from 0.72 to 0.84. The momentum dependence of the cross sections is found to be similar to that of neutron-proton cross sections. Results and similar analyses are also presented for total inelastic cross sections.