Attempt to Determine then−nScattering Length from the ReactionD(n, p)2n

Abstract

The high-energy part of the proton spectrum at 4° from the reaction $\mathrm{D}(n, p)2n$ at 14.4 Mev has been analyzed using the final-state interaction formalism, taking into account only the $n-n$ interaction in the final state. The primary interaction has been calculated in a kind of Born approximation. It has been shown that the shape of the high-energy part of the proton spectrum is dependent mostly on the $n-n$ scattering length, $a_{\mathrm{nn}}$, and that by varying $a_{\mathrm{nn}}$, a good fit to the shape of this part of the spectrum is obtained. From this analysis, a value of $a_{\mathrm{nn}}=(-22\mathrm{}\pm 2)$f has been obtained. However, this value of $a_{\mathrm{nn}}$ is to some extent dependent on the accuracy of the approximations used. A more refined theoretical treatment would therefore be desirable.