Most probable values of the strength functions of nuclei

Abstract A method is described for determining the most probable values of the nuclear strength functions S= Γ n o D , reduced neutron widths Γ n o and average level spacings D . Graphs are given for the maximum likelihood of the strength function in the case of limited statistics, probabilities for the deviation from it and in general the probability for the occurence of any value of S . It is shown that the available experimental data on the strength functions are insufficient to draw a conclusion on the difference between the strength functions for two spin systems within one nucleus. The maximum likelihood of the optical model parameters can be obtained with the aid of the nuclear strength function distributions obtained.