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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

A precise measurement of the spin-dependent neutron scattering length of 3He

The poor knowledge of the spin-dependent neutron scattering length of ³He has until now handicapped nuclear four body theory and the interpretation of excitations in the quantum liquid. We have measured, for the first time directly, the real part of the bound incoherent neutron scattering length, b_i′ of ³He. A neutron spin echo spectrometer was used to detect pseudomagnetic precession of polarised neutrons passing through polarised ³He gas. Any absolute calibrations of sample and beam parameters were avoided using simple transmission measurements with non-polarised neutrons. The only a priory information required was the spin-dependent neutron absorption cross section of ³He. The result is b_i′ = -2.365(20) fm, which reduces the prior uncertainty by a factor 30. The corresponding new value of the bound incoherent scattering cross section is σ_i = 1.532(12) barn. Including the known value of the coherent neutron scattering length, we obtain new values for the real parts of the free triplet and singlet neutron scattering lengths, a_-′ = 7.370(58) fm and a₊′ = 3.278(53) 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.     

Neutron-interferometric measurement of the coherent scattering length of the isotopes of silver

Employing a new measuring scheme with the D 18 Neutron Interferometer at the ILL, Grenoble, the thermal neutron coherent scattering lengthb _c for bound atoms of natural Ag,¹⁰⁷Ag and¹⁰⁹Ag have been measured at the wavelengthλ=1.8742 Å. The results, corrected for composition and density of the actual samples, are nat Ag:b _c =5.922 (7) fm¹⁰⁷Ag:¹⁰⁷ b _c =7.555 (11) fm¹⁰⁹Ag:¹⁰⁹ b _c =4.165 (11) fm The result is in agreement with an earlier value obtained with the interferometer for nat Ag (5.932 (6)) using a different measuring scheme and a totally different sample. For nat Ag and¹⁰⁷Ag the values determined interferometrically are ?0.05 and ?0.08 fm smaller, repectively, than those measured with the Christiansen filter method.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Refined interpretation of Christiansen-filter experiments and neutron scattering lengths of the lead-isotopes

A refined interpretation of Christiansen filter experiments is described, which allows for the effects of inhomogeneities in the powder column of the filter. Using this procedure the evaluation of experiments on enriched samples of lead isotopes provided the neutron coherent scattering lengths (in fm) for the separated isotopes:b (204) =10.6 ± 2.0;b (206)=9.23 ± 0.05;b (207)=9.28 ± 0.04 andb (208)=9.50 ± 0.06. The corresponding potential scattering radius R was obtained by taking account of resonance contributions as earlier used in the determination of the neutron's electric polarizability. The found R=9.74 ± 0.07 fm is in good argreement with the literature. This confirms the correctness of the used resonance contributions.Work partially supported by the Bundesministerium für Forschung und Technologie     

Analyzing Power of 3He(n, n)3He Between 1.60 and 5.54 MeV

We report the measurements of the analyzing power A _y (θ) of n-³He elastic scattering with unprecedented accuracy and angular coverage at five incident neutron energies between 1.60 and 5.54 MeV. To this end, we employed the polarization-transfer reactions ³H(p, n)³He and ²H(d, n)³He at 0° for neutron generation and a recently developed high-pressure ³He gas scintillator as an active target, enabling neutron-time-of-flight and ³He recoil-energy determinations. We obtained simultaneously the neutron polarization with a ⁴He-based polarimeter, capitalizing on the well-known n-⁴He A _y (θ). Our n-³He A _y (θ) data are compared to rigorous four-nucleon calculations using high-precision nucleon–nucleon potential models. The agreement between data and calculations is fair at the lower energies and becomes less satisfactory with increasing neutron energy. However, in comparison to the pure isotriplet p-³He system in the same energy region, the agreement between measured and calculated A _y is much better for the mixed (isotriplet and isosinglet) n-³He system, indicating large and somewhat counterintuitive isospin effects. We note that the incorporation of a Δ-mediated three-nucleon force in calculations of n-³He scattering was found to affect A _y (θ) negligibly, suggesting the need for the reconsideration of fundamental interactions in resolving the four-nucleon analyzing power puzzle first established about a decade ago in p-³He scattering.     

Nuclear moments and optical isotope shifts of108m Ag and110m Ag

The hyperfine structure of the resonance lines of^108m Ag and^110m Ag has been investigated by means of optical interference spectroscopy. The metastable isotopes were produced by neutron irradiation in a reactor. From the measureda- andb-values we derive the value for the nuclear magnetic dipole moment of^108mAgμ _I (108m)=3.577 (20)μ _n and the values for the electric quadrupole momentsQ _I (108m)=1.52(8) bQ _I (110m)=1.65(10) b (without Sternheimer correction). The measured isotope shifts allow the determination of the changes in the mean square charge radii of the nuclei involved:δ 〈r ²〉(108m-107)=0.022(3)fm² δ 〈r ²〉(110m-109)=0.029(2)fm². The isotope positions show odd-even staggering comparable with those of neighbouring isotonic nuclides.     

Stereochemical studies of oligomers XXIX. Reinvestigation of the structure of N-m-tolyl phthalimide

C₁₅H₁₁NO₂, Mr 237.3, monoclinic, space groupC _c, a=8.539(2),b=19.865(4),c=7.599(2)?,β=111.44(2)°,V=1199.8 ?³,Z=4,D _c=1.31 gcm⁻³,λ(CuKα)=1.5418 ?,μ=6.74cm⁻¹,F(000)=496, room temperature. The structure was solved by direct methods with SHELX-86 and refined down to agreement valueR=0.046 for 1117 reflections above 2σ(I). The angle between the plane of the phthalimide group, which shows a little bent [1.2(2)°] between its two rings, and the tolyl group is 56.1(1)°. The packing of the molecules is stabilized by van der Waal’s forces only. Part XXVIII: Bocelli and Rizzoli (1990)     

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.     

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.