208Pb(,'Nn) reaction in the giant-resonance region

Angular distributions of neutrons from the 208Pb( pi +or-, pi +or-'n) reaction near the giant-resonance region have been measured at Tpi =180 MeV. The neutrons arising from pi - inelastic scattering show evidence of peaking near the quasi-free recoil direction in contrast to those arising from pi +. This observation may be explained by a direct neutron-decay width for the giant resonances that is large when they are excited in ( pi -, pi -') and small in ( pi +, pi +'). Consequences of this suggestion for the analysis of inelastic scattering to the continuum are examined.