A semi-empirical formula for the neutron total cross section and the interpretation of the empirical formula forA ? 40

Weaknesses in Angeli and Csikai’s interpretation of their empirical formula for the neutron total cross section (σ _T) are pointed out. Using the Fourier-Bessel re-presentation of the scattering amplitude a semi-empirical formula forσ _T is obtained which has greater applicability and also explains the success of the empirical formula for mass numberA ⩾ 40 in terms of the established trends in neutron optical potential parameters.