Differential Elastic Scattering of 15.2-MeV Neutrons by Ta, Bi, Th, and U

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Abstract
Angular distributions of 15.2-MeV neutrons elastically scattered by Ta, Bi, Th, and U have been measured using an associated particle time of flight system with an energy resolution of 1.8 MeV at 15.2 MeV (defined as the energy loss for which neutrons are detected with 50% efficiency relative to elastically scattered neutrons) and an angular resolution of ±2°. The data were corrected for multiple scattering and attenuation by Monte Carlo methods, and the results are compared with the theoretical optical model predictions of Bjorklund and Fernbach for spherical nuclei. For Ta, Th, and U, the diffraction pattern appears damped in the backward angles, an effect attributable to the large deformations present in these nuclei.