Statistical Theory of Gamma-Ray Spectra Following Nuclear Reactions

Abstract

A theory predicting $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray spectra following intermediate or high-energy nuclear reactions is derived on the basis of the statistical theory. The equations take a particularly simple form if the assumption is made that all radiative transitions are of the electric dipole type. The theory is applied to two specific reactions: inelastic neutron scattering and thermal neutron capture. Numerical calculations of spectra arising from thermal neutron capture by two gadolinium isotopes are shown to compare well with experiments.