Calculation of the ratio of isomeric cross sections

A new, more rigorous method for calculating the ratio of isomeric cross sections has been developed. The method is particularly valuable when the energy and spin distribution are known before the gamma rays populating the isomeric and ground states start to cascade. The usefulness of the method was demonstrated by applying it to the analysis of the ratio of isomeric cross sections in the ¹⁹⁶Hg(n,γ)¹⁹⁷Hg reaction, which was initiated by thermal neutrons.