Charge Dependence of Nuclear Forces and the Breakup of Deuterons and Tritons

Abstract

The proton spectrum at 4.8\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} from the reaction $D(n,p)2n$, ${E}_{n}=14.4$ MeV, was measured. The high-energy part of that spectrum was analyzed yielding for the neutron-neutron $^{1}S_{0}$ scattering length the value: ${a}_{\mathrm{nn}}=\ensuremath{-}21.7\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1 \mathrm{F}$. The correction due to magnetic interaction is 0.8 F and the pure nuclear ${a}_{\mathrm{nn}}$ is therefore ${a}_{\mathrm{nn}}=\ensuremath{-}22.5\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1 \mathrm{F}$. This experimental value is compared with the calculations of Wong and Noyes, and Lin, and indicates that nuclear forces depart by 2-3% from the charge symmetry. The charged particle spectrum at 4.8\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} from the reaction $n+T\ensuremath{\rightarrow}n+T$, $2n+d$, and $3n+p$, ${E}_{n}=14.4$ MeV, was also measured. The effects of the final-state interactions are evident in the spectrum.