Precision measurement of the coherent neutron scattering length of 3He through neutron interferometry

Improved knowledge of the real part of the neutron scattering length of ³He is important for further development of nuclear few-body theory, as well as for a thorough understanding of neutron scattering off quantum liquids. The real part of the bound incoherent neutron scattering length b_i' has recently been measured directly with an experimental uncertainty of better than 1% by means of spin echo spectrometry. The uncertainty of the more fundamental bound multiplet scattering lengths b_±' is thus limited by today's 1.2% uncertainty of the spin-independent coherent part b_c'. Employing the skew-symmetric perfect crystal Si-interferometer at the S18 experimental site at ILL, Grenoble, we have re-measured the real part of the bound coherent neutron scattering length b_c' of ³He. Our result b_c' = 6.010(21)fm exhibits a significant deviation compared to the latest accepted value b_c' = 5.74(7)fm (H. Kaiser, H. Rauch, G. Badurek, W. Bauspiess, U. Bonse, Z. Phys. A 291, 231 (1979)). Including the known value of the incoherent neutron scattering length, we obtain new values for the real parts of the free singlet and triplet scattering lengths, a_-' = 7.573(30)fm and a₊' = 3.480(18)fm. Our result contravenes by more than 7 standard deviations the measurement of the same physical quantity that has recently been performed by a group at NIST in a very similar experiment (P.R. Huffman, D.L. Jacobson, K. Schoen, M. Arif, T.C. Black, W.M. Snow, S.A. Werner, Phys. Rev. C 70, 014004 (2004)) which yielded b_c' = 5.853(7)fm.     

Spin-dependent scattering of slow neutrons on polarized 17O

The method of pseudomagnetism has been applied to measure the spin-dependent scattering length b_N of slow neutrons on ¹⁷O nuclei. A powder sample of CaO, enriched with ¹⁷O, has been used. In this sample, dynamic nuclear polarizations of ± 10 % have been achieved at 2.5 T and 0.2 K using paramagnetic impurities created by fast neutron irradiation (F-centers). b_N = 0.12 ± 0.04 fm has been found. This value is close to an earlier shell model calculation.     

A new measurement of the51V spin dependent scattering length

The method of pseudomagnetic slow neutron precession has been used to obtain the spin-dependent (incoherent) scattering length of⁵¹V with a better precision than obtained before by other methods. The result,b ⁺ ?b ^?=12.81±0.08 fm, is consistent with the earlier values.     

The problem of the 27Al neutron spin-dependent scattering length

Early measurements of the neutron spin-dependent scattering length of ²⁷Al by neutron precession have given two values, consistent within the limits of accuracy, whose mean value is b₊?b_? = + 0.52 ± 0.02 fm. The positive sign was recently put in doubt from known values of neutron resonance parameters. New experiments were undertaken on a sample of ²⁷Al, a compound sample of ²⁷Al and ⁴⁵Sc, together with a redetermination of the sign of the ²⁷Al gyromagnetic ratio. These experiments confirmed in sign and magnitude the b₊?b_? value previously found. We have so far no explanation of the discrepancy.     

Measurement of the coherent neutron scattering length of 3He by neutron interferometry

A precise determination of the coherent scattering length of ³He with a neutron interferometer yields a value a_c = 4.29 ± 0.04 fm. A comparison with varoous theoretical perdictions is made and its relation to the few-body problem is discussed. A combination with other experimental results yield as most probable values for the free singlet- and triplet scattering length a_s = 8.0 ± fm and a_t = 3.05 ± 0.07 fm, respectively.     

Interactions of slow neutrons with the chromium isotopes

Neutron transmission experiments and determinations of coherent scattering lengths were performed on natural chromium and enriched samples of⁵⁰Cr,⁵²Cr,⁵³Cr and⁵⁴Cr. By means of the Christiansen-filter-technique we obtained new values for the scattering lengths of the bound atoms:b(^natCr)=3.635±0.007 fm,b(⁵⁰Cr)=?4.50±0.05 fm,b(⁵²Cr)=4.914±0.015 fm,b(53Cr)=?4.20±0.03 fm, andb(⁵⁴Cr)=4.55±0.10 fm. The transmission experiments with neutrons of 510 ΜeV, 1.26 eV and 5.19 eV energy resulted in data for the absorption cross sectionσ _a (^natCr) =3.05±0.08 b and for the scattering cross section at “zero energy”:σ ₀ (^natCr)=3.381±0.010 b. Data for incoherent and spin-state scattering and for the potential-scattering radius of the nuclei could be deduced from these results.     

Observation of nonresonant coulomb break-up of 156 MeV6Li projectiles

The neutron coherent scattering length b_c=9.26(13) fm of the lead isotope²⁰⁸Pb was determined by neutron interferometry.     

Determination of the neutron scattering length of208Pb by the neutron interferometry method

The coherent scattering length of²⁰⁸Pb was measured by means of the neutron interferometry method and the value ofb _c =9.494(29) fm was obtained.     

Neutron scattering lengths of molten metals determined by gravity refractometry

Very accurate values of the coherent neutron scattering lengths of the heavy elements Bi and Pb are important quantities for the investigation of the electric interactions of neutrons with atoms. We performed, therefore, a series of experiments to determine accurate scattering lengths by means of neutron gravity refractometry on liquid mirrors of molten metals. The possible perturbations of the necessary reflection measurements have been discussed in details. After taking into account the uncertainties and corrections associated with observable pertubations we obtained the following values for bound atoms:b(Bi)=8.532±0.002 fm,b(Pb)=9.405±0.003 fm,b(Tl)=8.776±0.005 fm,b(Sn)=6.225±0.002 fm andb(Ga)=7.288±0.002 fm. These data are corrected for the local field effect occuring in the reflection on liquids. The recently reported results for the neutron's electric polarizability and the neutron-electron scattering length are supported by the Bi- and Pb-scattering length of this work.     

The scattering of slow neutrons by phosphorus and nitrogen

The coherent scattering lengthsb and the free cross sections for the scattering of slow neutrons by P and N were measured on powdered samples. From the results we derived data for the incoherent cross sections and for the spin state scattering lengths. We found for phosphorus:b=5.13±0.01 fm, σ_free=3.134±0.010b and σ_inc=0.006±0.016b, and for nitrogen:b=9.36±0.02 fm, σ_free=10.03 ±0.08 b and σ_inc=0.4±0.1 b. Derived values for resonance parameters of N are given.     

Meson-exchange currents in thermal n-3He radiative capture

The cross section for radiative capture of thermal neutrons by ³He arising from 1π, 1ρ and 1ω meson-exchange processes is calculated using oscillator and exponential wave functions for ³He (including a D-wave component) and oscillator wave functions for ⁴He (also including a D-wave component). A correlation function with a range of 0.25 fm is incorporated in the wave function to describe the short-range behaviour. Results are sensitive to the assumed range of the correlation function and to the triplet scattering length in the neutron scattering wave function, which are not known accurately. For a reasonable set of parameter choices, a combination of one-body impulse approximation (between D-states) and two-body meson-exchange current processes can explain the entire experimental cross section.     

Neutron-neutron effective range from quasifree scattering 2H(n,nn)p at 25 MeV

A neutron coincidence spectrum from the deuteron breakup ²H(n, nn)p was measured at the kinematical condition of quasifree neutron-neutron scattering with 25 MeV neutrons in the entrance channel. The efficiencies of both scintillation detectors were calibrated in the same experimental arrangement as the breakup measurement was performed. The neutron flux was monitored by a proton recoil telescope. Absorption, double scattering and geometric conditions have been simulated by the Monte Carlo technique. From a fit based on the Ebenhöh-Bruinsma-Stuivenberg code with the neutron-neutron scattering length a_nn = ?16.6 fm for the effective range, the value r_{nn = 2.69 ± 0.27 fm} was determined.     

New methods for interferometric neutron scattering lengths measurements

A skew symmetric neutron interferometer has been used for tests of a nondispersive and phase contrast variation measuring technique of scattering lengths and for the measurement of anomalous scattering lengths of strongly absorbing substances. The following bound coherent scattering lengths have been obtained: b_c(Pt)=9.60 ± 0.01 fm, b_c(Te) =5.6 ± 0.1 fm and as real parts of anomalous scattering lengths at λ=l.86Å: b_c(Sm) =0.7 ± 0.2 fm, b_c(Eu)=5.3 ± 0.3fm, b_c(Gd)=5.1 ±0.4 fm, b_c(Dy)=16.9 ± 0.3 fm.     

The K<Superscript>-</Superscript>α scattering length and the reaction dd↦αK<Superscript>+</Superscript>K<Superscript>-</Superscript>

We present predictions for the K^-α scattering length obtained within the framework of the multiple-scattering approach. Evaluating the pole position of the K^-α scattering amplitude within the zero-range approximation, we find a loosely bound K^-α state with a binding energy of E_R = - 2,..., - 7 MeV and a width Γ_R = 11,..., 18 MeV. We propose to measure the K^-α scattering length through the final-state interaction between the α and K^--meson produced in the reaction dd↦αK⁺K^-. It is found that the K^-α invariant-mass distribution from this reaction at energies near the threshold provides a new tool to determine the s-wave K^-α scattering length.     

The neutron-neutron scattering length from a complete experiment on the 3H(d, 2n)3He reaction at 8.45 MeV

The spectrum of the time-differences between the two neutrons from the ³H(d, 2n)³He reaction detected by two plastic scintillators situated at 0.2 and 2.0 m from the target was measured at 0°. The spectrum was compared with a Jost-function final-state interaction enhancement factor and yielded a value of 16.2 ± 1.2 fm for a_n?n, the neutron-neutron scattering length.     

Neutron interferometric measurement of the coherent scattering length of cobalt

A precise determination of the coherent scattering length of Co with a neutron interferometer yields a valueb _Co =2.53(5) fm. It agrees well with the value 2.5(1) fm measured by Moon from diffraction work, but there is a disagreement with a value proposed by Koester et al. based on the Christiansen filter method.     

The n-n S-wave scattering length from the neutron spectra of the reaction π− +d → 2n+γ

We present a measurement of the neutron-neutron S-wave scattering length, a_nn, from an analysis of the neutron energy and angular spectra for the reaction d(π^?, γ)2n. This reaction provides the unique advantage that while all three final-state particles are experimentally detectable, only the neutrons are strongly interacting. The data are analyzed using the treatment of this reaction given by Bander, taking the effects of experimental resolution into account with Monte Carlo techniques. Two independent analyses of 4200 events yield a_nn = ?16.7 ±1.3 fm assuming r_nn = 2.65 fm. This value is in good agreement with calculations of a_nn which assume charge symmetry of the nuclear components of p-p and n-n interactions.     

Studies of parity and time reversal symmetries in neutron scattering from165Ho

We describe searches for parity and time reversal violations in the scattering of polarized neutrons from polarized and aligned¹⁶⁵Ho targets. We have completed a search with 7.1 and 11.0 MeV neutrons for P_oddT_odd terms in the elastic scattering forward amplitude of the form s. (I×K), wheres is the neutron spin,I is the target spin andk is the neutron momentum vector. The target was a single crystal of holmium, polarized horizontally along itsb axis by a 1 Tesla magnetic field. The neutrons were polarized vertically. Differences in the neutron transmission were measured for neutrons with spins parallel (antiparallel) toI×k. The P,T violating analyzing powers were found to be consistent with zero at the few 10⁻³ level: ρ_P,T(7.1 MeV)=−0.88 (±2.02) x 10⁻³, ρ_P,T(11.0 MeV)=−0.4 (±2.88) x 10⁻³. We have also attempted to find enhancements with MeV neutrons in P-violation due to the term s\k. We are preparing an aligned target cryostat for investigations of P_evenT_odd terms {bd(I\k)(I×k)\s} in neutron scattering. The target will be a single crystal cylinder of¹⁶⁵Ho cooled to 100 mK in a bath of liquid helium and rotated by a shaft from a room temperature stepping motor. The cylinder will be oriented vertically and the alignment (c) axis oriented horizontally. Warming or rotation of the sample allows one to separate effects that mimic the sought-after time reversal violating term.