Statistical fluctuations of compound nucleus level density and nuclear cross sections

Abstract

Some neutron cross sections measured with a beam having an energy spread larger than the average level spacing display an irregularly oscillating, resonance-like behaviour at excitation energies within 10 and 15 MeV of the intermediate compound system. It is shown that this behaviour can be explained, in principle, as due to statistical fluctuations of the compound nucleus level density. The results of an analysis of experimental data we report here are consistent with the proposed explanation.