Total Scattering Cross Section of Solids for Cold and Epithermal Neutrons

Abstract

Simple expressions are given which accurately describe the total cross section of solids at cold and epithermal neutron energies. They are intended to provide a consistent procedure for the evaluation of solid state effects, which must be substracted from the experimental data when information is wanted on intrinsic nuclear properties. The formulae presented here are the asymptotic forms to which the full expressions reduce in those energy limits. A Debye model is adopted to describe the frequency spectrum of the solid. The present results are compared with some commonly used expressions as well as with the exact formalism. The effect of temperature is discussed and numerical calculations are presented for some cases.