Comparison of neutron resonance spacings with microscopic theory for spherical nuclei

The nuclear level spacings determined from neutron resonance experiments for nuclei with 20 ≦ A ≦ 148 and 181 ≦ A ≦ 209 are compared with spacings calculated for spherical nuclei with a microscopic theory which includes the nuclear pairing interaction. Single particle levels of Seeger et al. and Nilsson et al. are used in the calculations. The gross features of the experimental data due to nuclear shells are reproduced with the microscopic theory. In addition, the absolute agreement between experiment and theory is reasonable (67 % of the 151 cases examined agree to within a factor of 2) in view of uncertainties in the experimental data, the theoretical single particle levels and the pairing strength. Values of the spin cutoff parameter σ2(E), calculated with a microscopic theory, are included also for several doubly even nuclei and discussed in terms of nuclear shells