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 section 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