The evaluated nuclear structure data file: Philosophy, content, and uses

Abstract

The Evaluated Nuclear Structure Data File (ENSDF) is maintained by the National Nuclear Data Center (NNDC) on behalf of the international Nuclear Structure and Decay Data Network sponsored by the International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna. Data for A = 5 to 44 are extracted from the evaluations published in Nuclear Physics; for A ⩾ 45 the file is used to produce the Nuclear Data Sheets. The philosophy and methodology of ENSDF evaluations are outlined, along with the file contents of relevance to radionuclide metrologist; the services available at various nuclear data centers and the NNDC on-line capabilities are also discussed. Application codes have been developed for use with ENSDF, and the program RADLST is used as an example. The interaction of ENSDF evaluations with other evaluations is also discussed.