Elastic Scattering of Alpha Particles with the Optical Model

Abstract

The scattering of medium-energy alpha particles by nuclei has been examined with the optical model. It is possible to reproduce the detailed features of the experimental data with such a model. An examination of the approximate models suggested by other authors is presented. Some features of the data can be understood on the basis of a one-parameter "black" nucleus model (i.e., the Blair model) interpreted quantum-mechanically. However, the requirement of detailed fit to the experimental data requires a model with more parameters. The "blackness" of nuclear matter to alpha particles causes the scattering cross section to be insensitive to the real part of the alpha-particle—nucleus interaction.