Cross sections for neutron-deuteron elastic scattering in the energy range 135-250 MeV

TL;DR

This paper presents new measurements of neutron-deuteron elastic scattering cross sections at energies 135-250 MeV, comparing results with theoretical predictions and other experimental data to improve understanding of three-nucleon forces.

Contribution

The study provides novel experimental data for neutron-deuteron scattering at intermediate energies, enhancing the validation of Faddeev calculations including three-nucleon forces.

Findings

Measured neutron-deuteron cross sections at 135-250 MeV.

Compared experimental results with theoretical Faddeev calculations.

Validated consistency with previous measurements and models.

Abstract

We report new measurements of the neutron-deuteron elastic scattering cross section at energies from 135 to 250 MeV and center-of-mass angles from $80^\circ$ to $130^\circ$. Cross sections for neutron-proton elastic scattering were also measured with the same experimental setup for normalization purposes. Our $nd$ cross section results are compared with predictions based on Faddeev calculations including three-nucleon forces, and with cross sections measured with charged particle and neutron beams at comparable energies.