Scattering of Neutrons by Deuterons

Abstract

Angular distributions and total cross sections for neutrons scattered by deuterons were measured at various neutron energies ranging from 220 kev to 3 Mev. A proportional counter filled with deuterium was irradiated with monoenergetic fast neutrons produced by bombarding thin lithium and tritium-filled zirconium targets with protons from the electrostatic generator. Angular distributions of the neutrons scattered by deuterons were determined by measuring the distribution in energy of the recoiling deuterons with a differential discriminator. Total neutron-deuteron cross sections were measured by comparing the neutron transmission of heavy water with ordinary water. Phase shifts determined from an analysis of the data were not in agreement with theoretical conclusions of Buckingham and Massey or of Verde.