Scattering of Neutrons byαParticles

Abstract

Angular distributions of neutrons scattered by $\alpha$ particles were measured at neutron energies between 2 and 23 Mev by observing recoiling $\alpha$ particles in a high-pressure gas scintillator. At the highest bombarding energy the disintegration of $\alpha$ particles by neutrons was also observed. Total cross sections of helium were measured at four neutron energies between 7 and 12 Mev in a simple transmission experiment. The total cross sections agree with values calculated from the analysis of $p-\alpha$ scattering by Dodder and Gammel. The angular distributions agree with these calculations quite well up to a neutron energy of 15 Mev, but not as well at higher energies.