Elastic Scattering of 14 MeV Protons by Deuterons and by Protons

Abstract

The differential cross sections for the elastic scattering of 13.93 MeV protons by deuterons were measured with accuracy varying from 1 to 3% at angles from 12° to 164° in the center-of-mass system. A shallow Coulomb-nuclear interference minimum near 17° was observed. The angular distribution is in good agreement with that of neutrons scattered by deuterons at 14 MeV, although the p – d cross sections seem systematically a little smaller than the n – d cross sections at backward angles. For forward angles, the experimental results contradict with the prediction of the existing theory. The small-angle p – d elastic scattering at 10.14 MeV was also investigated and a similar shallow Coulomb-nuclear interference was observed, in contrast with the theoretical curve of Christian and Gammel. The p – p scattering experiment at 14.16 MeV is also described. Measurements were made with accuracy of 1 to 2% for angles from 30° to 114° in the center-of-mass system.