Photodisintegration of the Deuteron by 95-Mev Bremsstrahlung

Abstract

Photoprotons produced by irradiating deuterium gas with betatron x-rays have been detected with stacks of unsupported Ilford emulsions. The differential cross section was determined for photon energies between 20 and 65 Mev and for seven angles of proton emission. The observed angular distributions are well fitted by $f(\ensuremath{\theta})=(\ensuremath{\alpha}+{sin}^{2}\ensuremath{\theta})(1+2\ensuremath{\beta}cos\ensuremath{\theta})$. The experimental results for angular distribution and total cross section have been compared with theoretical predictions assuming a purely central force. Striking departures from the central force theory are observed as the photon energy increases from 20 Mev.