Reply to comment by Mayers et al. on "High energy neutron scattering from hydrogen using a direct geometry spectrometer"

TL;DR

This paper defends previous findings that hydrogen's scattering cross section shows no measurable deficit, attributing earlier anomalies to experimental effects of indirect geometry spectrometers.

Contribution

It clarifies and supports the original conclusion that anomalies are due to experimental setup, not fundamental physics, countering criticisms in a recent comment.

Findings

No measurable deficit in hydrogen scattering cross section.

Anomalies attributed to experimental effects of indirect spectrometers.

Reaffirmation of original conclusions against recent criticisms.

Abstract

In this reply, we point out several criticisms of the analysis in arXiv:0909.2633 and show that the comment does not change the underlying conclusion presented by ourselves that there is no measurable deficit in the scattering cross section of hydrogen. We therefore consider that our original conclusions are correct namely that the previous anomalies in the cross section are due to experimental effects related to the use of indirect geometry spectrometers.