The direct neutron decay of giant resonances in 208Pb

The neutron decay of the giant multipole resonance region from 9 to 15 MeV of excitation energy in 208Pb has been studied. Neutron branching ratios for the decay to the ground state and to the low-lying excited states of 207Pb were measured as a function of the excitation energy of 208Pb and compared to Hauser-Feshbach calculations. While the neutron branching ratios from the energy region of the isoscalar giant quadrupole resonance are reproduced by the calculations, the ratios from the energy region of the isoscalar giant monopole resonance show a conspicuous excess with respect to the statistical model predictions. The neutron yield from this energy region was analysed in terms of a multistep model of the compound nucleus which includes collective doorway channels. The total direct escape width as well as the associated direct partial escape widths to the lowest five valence hole states of 207Pb were determined. (orig.)