Abstract

Neutron scattering experiments provide direct access to the forces experienced by nucleons in the nuclear environment. Due to the experimental difficulty of cross section measurements with neutrons, isotopically-resolved neutron scattering cross sections are sorely needed as inputs for many nuclear models. This dissertation presents the results from a campaign of isotope-specific neutron total cross section measurements on 16,18O, 58,64Ni, 112,124Sn, and 103Rh from 3-450 MeV and elastic scattering differential cross section measurements on 112,nat,124Sn at 11 and 17 MeV. Equipped with these new data and with computational improvements to the Dispersive Optical Model (DOM), we present DOM treatments of 16,18O, 40,48Ca, 58,64Ni, 112,124Sn, and 208Pb. From these analyses across the nuclear chart, we place additional constraints on the neutron-proton asymmetry-dependence of nuclear properties, extract essential bound-state quantities including spectroscopic factors and neutron skins, and identify experimental data sets most needed for further enhancing our understanding of nuclear structure.

Committee Chair

Lee G. Sobotka

Committee Members

Demetrios G. Sarantites, Robert Charity, Willem Dickhoff, Richard Mabbs,

Comments

Permanent URL: https://doi.org/10.7936/bd5h-4942

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Author's Department

Chemistry

Author's School

Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

Document Type

Dissertation

Date of Award

Spring 5-15-2019

Language

English (en)

Author's ORCID

http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0607-9461

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