Determination of the Strength Function of Nuclear Energy Levels

Abstract

An investigation of the average reduced neutron width to spacing ratio, or strength function $\frac{〈{{\gamma }_0}^2〉}{\overline{D}}$, of nuclear energy levels has been carried out as a function of atomic weight and neutron energy. The experiment was performed by measuring deviations from exponential attenuation of a beam of neutrons passing through samples of various elements. Deviations from exponential attenuation were observed by comparing transmissions of thin samples for neutron beams filtered through thick samples with transmissions of thin samples for unfiltered beams.