On the P-Wave Strength Functions of Thorium-232 and Uranium-238

A deformed optical potential, obtained by matching partial cross sections and the s-wave strength function, is used to calculate p-wave strength functions for ²³⁸U and ²³²Th. We find for ²³²Th: S₁,_1/2 = 1.9 × 10^-4; S_1,3/2= 1.8 × 10^-4. For ²³⁸U, we find: S₁,_1/2 = 2.0 × 10^-4; S_1,3/2 = 1.9 × 10^-4. These results are consistent with thermal potential scattering cross sections of ∼10.5 b for both nuclides.