Angular Distribution of Neutrons from Targets Bombarded by 190-Mev Deuterons

Abstract

It is found that 190-Mev deuterons striking a thin target produce a beam of neutrons concentrated about the forward direction of the deuterons. The angular distribution of intensity in this beam has been studied, using as target materials Be, Al, Cu, Mo, Sn, Ta, Pb, and U. The shape of the distributions is represented approximately by the function ${(1+a{\theta }^2)}^{-\frac{3}{2}}$, and the measured widths in radians between points of half-intensity can be given approximately as $0.155+0.00060Z$, where $Z$ is the atomic number of the target material. It is pointed out that these data fit within a few percent a simple theory of neutron production, according to which the proton is "stripped" from the deuteron by striking a target nucleus, leaving the neutron free.