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.     

Slow neutron scattering lengths of the isotopes of silver and indium

By means of the Cristiansen filter method we measured on filters containing powder, filings or wires of silver or powder of indium oxide the coherent scattering lengths for the bound atoms of the following isotopes:b(¹⁰⁷Ag)=7.64±0.04 fm,b(¹⁰⁹Ag)=4.19±0.03 fmb(nat.Ag)=5.97±0.01 fm,b(¹¹³In)=5.39±0.06 fmb(¹¹⁵In)=4.00±0.03 fm andb(nat.In)=4.065±0.020 fm. From these values and taking account of incoherent and resonance data we deduced values for the fundamental spin state scattering lengths and incoherent cross sections. These zero energy scattering parameters and the resonance parameters for silver are consistent if bound levels of¹⁰⁸Ag and¹¹⁰Ag are assumed. No indications were found for bound levels of the In isotopes.     

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.     

Measurement of coherent neutron scattering lengths of gases

With the neutron interferometer, measurements of the coherent neutron scattering lengths by various gases have been performed. We get the following numbers for the bound coherent scattering lengths for atoms (in fm):b _c (H) =?3.64(3),b _c (D)=6.55(8),b _c (He?3)=5.74(7),b _c (He)=3.26(3),b _c (N)=9.30(8),b _c (O)=5.83(5),b _c (Ne) =4.63(4),b _c (Ar)=2.07(2),b _c (Kr)=7.52(6),b _c (Xe)=4.69(4). In some cases greater accuracy is achieved in comparison with recommended values from the literature. The absolute values for hydrogen and deuterium measured with gaseous samples, are about 2% smaller than the values measured with liquids and other reference values.     

Scattering of slow neutrons by arsenic and selenium isotopes

Coherent neutron scattering lengths and free cross sections were measured for arsenic, for ordinary selenium and its isolated isotopes. By means of the Cristiansen filter technique the following scattering lengths for the bound atoms were obtained (in fm):b(As) =6.58(1) [b ₊=6.04(5) andb _?=7.47(8)],b(Se)=7.970(9),b(⁷⁶Se)=12.2(1),b(⁷⁷Se) =08.25(8),b(⁷⁸Se)=8.24(9),b(⁸⁰Se)=7.48(3) andb(⁸²Se)=6.34(8). Transmission measurements with neutrons of 1.26 eV and 5.19 eV resulted in an energy independent free scattering cross section for arsenic ofσ _{s, t}=5.40(3)b (in the eV-region). For ordinary selenium energy dependent free cross sections ofσ _{s, t}(1.26 eV)=7.9(1)b andσ _{s, t} (5.19 eV)=7.55(3)b were found. The results were compared with the resonance parameters of the nuclei and with different sets of potential scattering radii. Thus it could be concluded that there is no evidence for a bound state of the neutron-nucleus compound⁷⁵As+n but a clear evidence for strong bound levels of⁷⁶Se+n and⁷⁷Se+n.     

Bounds on the coupling parameters in field theoretical models of nuclear physics

Neutrons of energies within a 50 eV interval at 1970 eV have been selected from reactor neutrons by means of resonance scattering on a target of⁶³Cu and subsequently by the 1970 eV resonance of a⁸⁰Se target. Insertion of stationary filters and the technique of difference measurements with a resonance filter resulted in a high selectivity, which allowed the determination of cross sections for quasi-monoenergetic neutrons for the elements: H, C, O, F, Na, Mg, Al, Si, P, Cl, K, Ca, Sc, Ti, V, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Ga, Pb and Bi. The precision cross sections of Pb and H contribute to investigations of fundamental neutron interactions. The measured σ(Pb)=11.198±0.003 b was recently used to deriveα _n=(0.8±1)10^?3 fm³ for the electric polarizability of the neutron. The neutron-proton cross sectionσ(¹ H)=20.13±0.03 b and data at 143 keV, 〈1.3〉 MeV, 〈2.1〉 MeV and from the literature provide a refined set of the scattering parameters for the shape-independent effective-range approximation of the neutron-proton interaction.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Interaction of slow neutrons with natural Rutenium,Rhodium, Cadmium and Thallium and some of their isotopes

By means of Christiansen filter technique the following bound coherent neutron scattering lengths were obtained:^natRu:b=7.02 ± 0.02 fm¹⁰⁸Cd:b=5.31 ± 0.24 fm¹⁰³Rh:b=5.90 ± 0.04 fm¹¹⁰Cd:b=5.78 ± 0.08 fm^natTl:b=8.773 ± 0.015 fm¹¹¹Cd:b=6.47 ± 0.08 fm²⁰³Tl:b=8.51 ± 0.08 fm¹¹²Cd:b=6.34 ± 0.06 fm²⁰⁵Tl:b=8.87 ± 0.07 fm¹¹⁴Cd:b=7.48 ± 0.05 fm¹¹⁶Cd:b=6.26 ± 0.09 fm In combination with some total cross section measurements with neutrons in the eV-energy range and with the compiled resonance parameters we deduced consistent sets of spin state scattering lengths and potential radii.     

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 neutron zero-energy total cross section and scattering lengths for tritium

New results for the neutron total cross section for tritium extrapolate to 1.70 ± 0.03 b at zero energy. With a theoretical constraint A₁/A₀=0.92 ± 0.04, the scattering lengths A₁=3.60 ± 0.10, A₀ = 3.91 ± 0.12, and A_c=3.68 ± 0.05 fm can be inferred independently of, but consistently with, the previous experimental value for the coherent length A_c=3.82 ± 0.24 fm.     

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.     

Interaction of neutrons with zinc and its isotopes

Coherent neutron scattering lengths and total cross sections have been measured for elemental Zn,Zn-compounds and on isotopicly enriched samples for neutron energies from 0.5 meV up to 143 keV using different techniques. From the experimental data the following quantities were obtained:

the coherent scattering lengths (b in fm) of Zn (5.689±0.014);⁶⁴Zn (5.23±0.04);⁶⁶Zn (5.98±0.05);⁶⁷Zn (7.58±0.08;b ₊=9.4±0.5/5.8±0.5;b _?=5.0±0.7/10.1±0.7);⁶⁸Zn (6.04 ±0.03);

the potential scattering radii (R′ in fm) of Zn (6.2±0.2),⁶⁴Zn (6.0±0.3) and⁶⁶Zn (6.2 ±0.3);

the absorption cross sections (σ _γ at 0.025 eV in barn) of Zn (1.11±0.02);⁶⁴Zn (1.1 ±0.1) and⁶⁶Zn (0.62±0.06).

Derived quantities are the “zero energy” scattering cross sections (σ ₀ in barn) for Zn (4.128±0.010) and⁶⁷Zn (7.8±0.3) and the incoherent bound cross sections of Zn (0.061 ±0.023) and⁶⁷Zn (0.6±0.4). In the epithermal region the Zn-cross section can be described by introduction of two strong bound levels of⁶⁷Zn+n for which estimated parameters are given.     

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.     

High spin states and neutron multiplicities after pion capture in181Ta and209Bi

The absorption of stoppedπ ^? in¹⁸¹Ta and²⁰⁹Bi has been investigated by studying prompt and delayedγ-ray spectra. Absolute cross-sections for the yield of isotopes per capturedπ ^? in (π ^?, xn) reactions, as well as the relative probability of populating nuclear states of different spins have been measured for the hafnium and lead isotopes, respectively. A spin as high as 20 has been observed in the production of²⁰⁴Pb. The ground-state rotational bands of the hafnium isotopes are excited to spin values up to 16. Neutron multiplicities as large as 15 have been observed for both targets. A neutron multiplicity of ?8 is most probable for both tantalum and bismuth targets. The strong interaction monopole energy shift? ₀ and widthΓ ⁰ for the 4f level are found to beε ₀(¹⁸¹Ta)=540±100eV; ?₀(²⁰⁹Bi)=1790±150 eV;Γ ₀(¹⁸¹Ta)=225±57 eV;Γ ₀(²⁰⁹Bi) =1166±70 eV. The quadrupole moments, determined from the hyperfine splitting of the 4f pionic atom level, areQ=3.30±0.06b andQ=}-0.50±0.08b for¹⁸¹Ta and²⁰⁹Bi, respectively.     

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.     

Elastische Elektronenstreuung an14N,15N,16O und18O bei kleiner Impulsübertragung

Elastic electron scattering cross sections of¹⁴N and¹⁶O have been measured relative to the proton and of¹⁵N and¹⁸O relative to the lighter isotope (¹⁴N,¹⁶O resp.) using gas targets. The momentum transfer ranged from 0.22 to 0.48 fm^?1. The data were analyzed by phase shift calculations assuming harmonic oscillator shell model charge distributions. The following rms charge radii have been deduced: R_m(¹⁴N)=2.540±0.020 fm R_m(¹⁵N)=2.580±0.026 fm R_m(¹⁶O)=2.718±0.021 fm R_m(¹⁸O)=2.789±0.027 fm. The errors include statistical and systematic uncertainties and an estimate of effects due to the choice of the model. The radius differences of the isotopes are smaller than the values predicted by anA ^1/3 relation