The Interaction of Fast Neutrons with Nickel-60

Neutron total cross sections of ⁶⁰Ni were measured with broad resolutions from ∼0.5 to 5.0 MeV at intervals of ≲50 keV. Differential elastic neutron scattering cross sections were measured from 1.5 to 4.0 MeV at intervals of ≲50 keV over the scattered neutron angular range from ∼20 to 160 deg. Differential cross sections for the inelastic neutron excitation of states at 1.342 ± 0.013, 2.168 ± 0.010, 2.304 ± 0.026, 2.509 ± 0.022, 2.636 ± 0.019, and 3.164 ± 0.041 MeV were also measured. The experimental results are interpreted in terms of optical-statistical and coupled-channel models, including consideration of compound nucleus fluctuations and direct-vibrational processes.