Total Cross Section of Aluminum for Fast Neutrons

Abstract

The total neutron cross section of aluminum was measured as a function of neutron energy in the range from 10 to 1000 kev. Neutrons of known mean energy and small energy spread were produced by the $\mathrm{Li}\mathrm{}(p,n)\mathrm{}$ reaction. The cross section was found to be a rapidly varying function of energy indicating the presence of at least ten resonances in the range of energies investigated. The extreme values of the cross section were found to be 0.9 × ${10}^{-24\mathrm{}}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^2$ and 11.5 × ${10}^{-24\mathrm{}}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^2$.