High-resolution transmission measurements for 54Cr+n

Neutron total cross-section measurements on 54Cr up to a neutron energy of 2 MeV have been analyzed to deduce resonance parameters as well as spins and parities. Neutron strength functions have been deduced, based on data in the energy range 20-1000 keV, for s-, p-, and d-wave interactions and, in units of (10-4), are 2.8±0.9, 0.23±0.06, and 4.4±0.7, respectively. Corresponding level densities in units of keV-1are 0.025±0.003, 0.032±0.003, and 0.107±0.006, respectively. The distribution of nearest-neighbor spacings for s waves has been compared to Poisson and Wigner predictions for both 54Cr and 52Cr. Hints are seen of greater chaotic behavior in the case of the closed-neutron-shell 52Cr and of regular dynamics for 54Cr, suggestive of changes in chaoticity of nuclear dynamics with shell closure