Fast-Neutron Total and Scattering Cross Sections of Elemental Nickel

Fast-neutron total and scattering cross sections of elemental nickel are measured. Total neutron cross sections are determined from 0.25 to 5.0 MeV with incident neutron resolutions of a few keV. Differential neutron elastic scattering cross sections are measured from incident energies of 0.3 to 4.0 MeV at intervals of ≤200 keV. Cross sections for the neutron excitation of states at 1.156 ± 0.015, 1.324 ± 0.015, 1.443 ± 0.015, 2.136 ± 0.013, 2.255 ± 0.030, 2.449 ± 0.030, 2.614 ± 0.020, and 2.791 ± 0.025 MeV are determined to incident energies of 4.0 MeV. The experimental results are examined in the context of optical and statistical models including resonance width-fluctuation and correlation effects. The present experimental results are compared with previously reported measured values and with the evaluated data file ENDF/B-IV.