The Nuclear Scattering of 1-Mev Electrons and Positrons

Abstract

The scattering of 1-Mev electrons and positrons by thin foils has been investigated from two points of view: (1) to compare the cross section for elastic nuclear scattering of positrons with that of electrons, and (2) to look for evidence of inelastically scattered electrons which have suffered large energy losses. The first experiment is of interest because theory predicts a large difference between electron and positron scattering as a result of spin-orbit coupling, and thus involves the magnetic moment of the electron. The second experiment is of importance because there have been many conflicting reports on the existence of inelastic scattering whereas theoretically one expects almost no inelastic scattering.