A Regression Program COVAFIT Accounting for Variance-Covariances in Experimental Nuclear Data

A computer program COVAFIT has been developed and applied to the evaluation of experimental cross sections for MeV energy incident particles. The program utilizes weighted least-square linear regression method with high-order polynomials derived in the study. Meeting the growing demand for the treatment of covariances in nuclear data, it deals with the variance and covariance data provided along with experimental cross sections and yields those for the evaluated ones. The evaluated results on two sets of neutron total cross section of oxygen and three sets of proton cross section for C11 production reactions confirm the methodology formulated in and the applicability of the program. 4 figs., 9 refs. (Author)