Influence of nuclear dynamics on neutron scattering from /sup 194/Pt

Measurements of neutron differential scattering cross sections at 4.55 MeV, and of neutron total cross sections at low energies have been made with an isotopically enriched sample of /sup 194/Pt. These results are combined with earlier neutron scattering data measured at 2.5 MeV in a consistent set of coupled channels analyses based on the low-lying collective excitations of /sup 194/Pt. The results of these measurements and analyses extend the tests of the collective character of /sup 194/Pt, and show the strong relationship between scattering and the dynamics of nuclear excitations. We are able to discriminate amongst different models which have been offered to interpret the low-lying structure of this nucleus. Some information from an associated 8 MeV neutron scattering experiment is also included; the entire neutron data set allows us to determine that the strength of the real scattering potential has a nonlinear neutron energy dependence, and further that its geometry must be energy dependent