Slightly Inelastic Proton-Deuteron Scattering

Abstract

Measurements of the inelastic $p-d$ cross section, in the region of very small momentum transfer, have been made at laboratory scattering angles of 5°, 10°, 15°, and 20°. The elastic $p-d$ cross section has also been measured at these angles and compared with Postma's data. These measurements have been performed with a high-resolution magnetic spectrometer designed especially for this experiment. The $p-d$ cross sections have been obtained by normalizing the $p-d$ spectra to $p-p$ spectra obtained by filling the same target with liquid hydrogen. The shape of the $p-p$ spectrum, at a particular angle, was used to effect the separation of the inelastic $p-d$ from the elastic $p-d$ spectrum. The over-all energy resolution at small angles was about 0.75%.