The Interaction of 1- to 20-MeV Neutrons with ²³⁸U

The experimental data on the interactions of I- to 20-MeV neutrons with ²³⁸U are summarized, together with the theoretical analyses. Particular attention is devoted to the elastic and inelastic scattering cross sections because of their practical importance. Functional forms for the surface and volume imaginary terms of the optical potential are chosen so that the dispersion relation, by means of which these terms generate additional contributions to the real part of the optical potential, can be evaluated analytically. The fission and capture cross sections are not included as they have been extensively reviewed elsewhere.