High-momentum-transfer inelastic neutron scatterins from liquid helium-3

Abstract

The inelastic scattering of neutrons by liquid $^{3}\mathrm{He}$ at 0.2 K and saturated vapor pressure has been measured for momentum transfers in the range 10 A${\mathrm{\r{}}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$16 A${\mathrm{\r{}}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$. The observed scattering function is well described, within statistical uncertainties, by a Gaussian centered at the recoil energy. The average kinetic energy per atom, obtained from the width of the scattering function, is ${8.1}_{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1.3}^{+1.7}$ K.