XXVII. On simplifying the reduction by least squares of angular distribution experiments in nuclear physics

Abstract

The reduction of angular distribution experiments by the method of least squares is often very laborious. An experimental procedure is described which simplifies the computations by using a particular set of experimental angles and of relative weights of the observations at each angle. The method of calculation is an application of Gauss' Formula of Numerical Integration; a proof that this method is a ‘least squares’ reduction is given in an Appendix. Four-figure tables are included to facilitate the use of the method.