Neutron Scattering Cross Sections for ²³²Th, ²³³U, ²³⁵U, ²³⁸U, ²³⁹Pu, and ²⁴²PU Between 0.6 and 3.4 MeV

Differential cross sections for neutron elastic and inelastic scattering from the actinide nuclei ²³²Th, ²³³U, ²³⁵U, ²³⁸U, ²³⁹Pu, and ²⁴²Pu have been measured at incident energies ranging from 0.6 to 3.4 MeV using a multiangle time-of-flight spectrometer. The energy resolution of the spectrometer was high enough to experimentally resolve the elastic and first inelastic groups for ²³²Th, ²³³U, ²³⁸U, and ²⁴²Pu at all energies. Cross sections for groups of states have been obtained for ²³⁵U and ²³⁹Pu. Comparison of these measurements with evaluations in the latest evaluated data files shows substantial discrepancies, particularly at high energies. The present results for ²³²Th, ²³⁵U, ²³⁸U, and ²³⁹Pu have been combined with total cross-section measurements and low-energy scattering properties in an analysis based on the coupled-channel and compound-nucleus formalisms. Optical potential parameters and nuclear deformations have been derived and are discussed.