Statistical Model Calculations of Iron-56 Neutron Cross Sections

Abstract : The present work is part of an Air Force initiated program to calculate certain neutron cross sections which have not been measured. The first paper serves the purpose of determining the free parameters in the calculational scheme while at the same time extending and improving the results for Fe56. The new element in the calculation is the use of a statistical level density formula to describe unknown high energy states of the daughter nucleus. This allows the extension of the calculation to higher neutron energies and in particular to multiple particle emissions. The success with which this new computational system provides one with a thorough and self-consistent picture of the neutron reactions on Fe56 over a large range of neutron energies, and gives one confidence that he may now proceed to estimate theoretically neutron cross-sections for other nuclei of interest. (Author)