Scattered neutrons and gamma rays from the 16O(n, n′γ) 16O reaction at En=14.1 MeV

Abstract

Excitation of levels in 16O at 0, 6.1, 7, 8.9 and 11 MeV by 14.1 MeV neutron scattering has been observed by using time-of-flight techniques to detect the scattered neutrons and de-excitation gamma rays. Differential cross sections were obtained for the scattered neutron groups. The elastic data have been fitted using an optical model with reasonable well parameters, and the inelastic data corresponding to Q=6.1 MeV were compared with theoretical predictions for direct excitation of a collective octupole state at 6.13 MeV. For the gamma rays, energy, yield and angular distribution measurements were carried out, and a coincidence technique was used to observe cascade gamma ray events. From the information obtained, a set of excitation cross sections for the inelastic scattering process were deduced which were in good agreement with the neutron scattering data.