Analysing power for neutron-proton scattering at 14.1 MeV

The analysing power A_γ(θ) for neutron-proton scattering has been measured at 14.1 MeV for c.m. angles between 50° and 157°. A polarized neutron beam was produced by the reaction ${}^3\text{H}\text{(}\text{d}\text{, n}\text{)}{}^4\text{He}$ at 110 keV, using polarized deuterons from an atomic beam polarized ion source. Liquid and plastic scintillators were used for proton targets and the scattered particles were detected in an array of plastic scintillators. Use of the associated alpha technique, multi-parameter recording of events and off-line computer treatment led to very low backgrounds. The results differ significantly from the predictions of the phase-shift analyses of Yale IV, Livermore X and Arndt et al. We find, however, excellent agreement with the predictions of the “Paris potential” of Lacombe et al. Existing n-p analysing power results up to 30 MeV are surveyed and found to be consistent. An attempt was made to look for an isospin splitting of the triplet P-wave phase shifts.