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arXiv · 0907.1945

High energy neutron scattering from hydrogen using a direct geometry spectrometer

C. Stock·R. A. Cowley·J. W. Taylor·S. M. Bennington
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Abstract

Deep inelastic neutron scattering experiments using indirect time-of-flight spectrometers have reported a smaller cross section for the hydrogen atom than expected from conventional scattering theory. Typically, at large momentum transfers, a deficit of 20-40% in the neutron scattering intensity has been measured and several theories have been developed to explain these results. We present a different approach to this problem by investigating the hydrogen cross section in polyethylene using the direct geometry time-of-flight spectrometer MARI with the incident energy fixed at a series of values ranging from Ei=0.5 eV to 100 eV. These measurements span a much broader range in momentum than previous studies and with varying energy resolutions. We observe no momentum dependence to the cross section with an error of 4% and through a comparison with the scattering from metal foil standards measure the absolute bound cross section of the hydrogen atom to be sigma(H)= 80 +/- 4 barns. These results are in agreement with conventional scattering theory but contrast with theories invoking quantum entanglement and neutron experiments supporting them. Our results also illustrate a unique use of direct geometry chopper instruments at high incident energies and demonstrate their capability for conducting high-energy spectroscopy.

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C. Stock, R. A. Cowley, J. W. Taylor, S. M. Bennington. 2009-08-19. High energy neutron scattering from hydrogen using a direct geometry spectrometer. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevb.81.024303

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