Excitation of octupole, beta- and gamma-vibration band levels of 238U by inelastic neutron scattering

Experimental data on inelastic neutron scattering are analyzed in a Hauser–Feshbach–Moldauer approach with a coupled-channel estimates of the direct reaction contribution. For the direct excitation of the ground state rotational band levels with Jπ=0+, 2+, 4+, 6+, 8+ the rigid rotator model was used, whereas for the direct excitation of members of the β-, γ- (, , 2+) and first octupole band (Kπ=0−) a soft-deformable rotator model was used. Quadrupole, octupole, hexadecapole and gamma-deformation parameters are defined by consistent analysis of excited rotational–vibrational band structures and excitation cross sections of the relevant levels. Structures evident in measured neutron emission spectra for En∼1–6 MeV are correlated with excitation of levels of Kπ=0− and , , 2+ bands.