Scattering of Fast Neutrons in Light Nuclei

Abstract

The total cross section of hydrogen, deuterium, lithium, beryllium, boron 10, boron 11, carbon, oxygen, magnesium, aluminum, and sulfur have been measured for neutrons whose energies were varied from 14-18 Mev. All elements except carbon exhibit a decrease in cross section with increasing energy. Carbon exhibits a broad resonance at 16-Mev neutron energy. Nuclear radii calculated from these cross sections have the following values in units of ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}13}$ cm: Li-3.29, ${\mathrm{Be}}^{9}$-3.51, ${\mathrm{B}}^{10}$-3.56, ${\mathrm{B}}^{11}$-3.49, ${\mathrm{C}}^{12}$-3.41, ${\mathrm{O}}^{16}$-3.85, Mg-4.04, Al-3.98, and S-4.33.The $n\ensuremath{-}p$ and $n\ensuremath{-}d$ cross sections are compared with the theoretical calculations.