Low-Energy Neutron Scattering by a Spheroidal Complex Potential

The scattering and absorption of low-energy neutrons (kR1) by complex square well potentials of spheroidal shape r=R(1+aP₂) is calculated by expanding the neutron wave function in terms of appropriate spherical Bessel and Neumann functions times spherical harmonics. The convergence of the results obtained is demonstrated.The "strength function" Γₙ⁰D, the average value of neutron width to spacing, is of particular interest in nuclear physics. It can be calculated from the scattering amplitude.This strength function is plotted as a function of atomic number in the region $A>90$. The results are seen to deviate considerably from the corresponding results for spherical nuclei. Comparison is made with experiment.