Abstract
Abstract The problem of determining the variation with gamma-ray energy of the total nuclear absorption cross section is discussed with a view to testing the applicability of specific nuclear models such as that of Goldhaber and Teller for the form of the cross section and the validity of the general account of the integrated cross section given by Levinger and Bethe. While for light elements many competing processes must be considered, in the very heavy elements only (γ, 2n) is a possible competitor for (γ, n) at not too high energies. The seriousness of this competition is estimated by a measurement of the ratio of the cross sections of 181Ta(γ, 2n)179Ta at 17·6 mev to 181Ta(γ, n)180Ta at 14 ·6 mev; the result is 0·29±0·11. This competition is not enough to destroy the apparent ‘ resonance ’ character of the absorption. It is pointed out that the large value of σγ, n at 17·6 mev is inconsistent with the idea that a conventional compound nucleus is always formed and so the idea of purely statistical comp...
Published Version
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