The Spin-Spin Interaction of 0.92 MeV Polarized Neutrons with Polarized ¹⁶⁵Ho Nuclei

Abstract

In order to obtain a direct measure of the strength and form of the nuclear spin-spin interaction, the transmission of 0.92 MeV polarized neutrons by polarized 165 Ho was measured. The total cross section and relative scattering angular distribution of 0.92 MeV unpolarized neutrons through unpolarized 165 Ho nuclei were also measured in order to make a parameter search of the optical potential. The experimental results are analyzed with Davies and Satchler's DWBA formalism. The results show that the effective spin-spin interaction between a free neutron and a 165 Ho nucleus, is an attraction type and its strength has the order of one MeV, and the present experimental result together with other data obtained at ORNL and Stanford, can be fitted by the DWBA approach in either case of a volume and surface type of the form factor. For the further determination of the strength and the form of the spin-spin interaction, more precise similar experiments are needed for various different neutron energies.