Note on the Photodisintegration of the Deuteron

Abstract

The differential cross section $\ensuremath{\sigma}(\ensuremath{\theta}, \ensuremath{\phi})$ and proton polarization $P(\ensuremath{\theta}, \ensuremath{\phi})$ have been computed at $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray energies of 22.5, 32.8, 64.4, 107.8, 164.5, and 193.9 Mev. The nuclear force potential was a slightly modified form of that used by Signell and Marshak. In order to test recent claims regarding comparison with experiment not calling for the inclusion of effects of retardation and exchange currents, these effects have been neglected. The influence of the inclusion of different multipoles has been studied by employing successive approximations in which the transitions which are unimportant at low energies are introduced in turn. The inclusion of $M1$ transitions to triplets and of $E2$ effects has left discrepancies of several times the experimental error with data on $\ensuremath{\sigma}$ at 65 and 108 Mev. The relative largeness of the effects of the transitions just mentioned at the higher energies complicates the employment of the photoeffect as a means of obtaining evidence regarding the nucleon-nucleon interaction.