Influence of nuclear dynamics on neutron scattering fromPt194

Measurements of neutron differential scattering cross sections at 4.55 MeV, and of neutron total cross sections at low energies have been made with an isotopically enriched sample of ${}_{}{}^{194}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Pt}$. These results are combined with earlier neutron scattering data measured at 2.5 MeV in a consistent set of coupled channels analyses based on the low-lying collective excitations of ${}_{}{}^{194}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Pt}$. The results of these measurements and analyses extend the tests of the collective character of ${}_{}{}^{194}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Pt}$, and show the strong relationship between scattering and the dynamics of nuclear excitations. We are able to discriminate amongst different models which have been offered to interpret the low-lying structure of this nucleus. Some information from an associated 8 MeV neutron scattering experiment is also included; the entire neutron data set allows us to determine that the strength of the real scattering potential has a nonlinear neutron energy dependence, and further that its geometry must be energy dependent.