Analysis of intermediate energy nucleon-deuteron elastic scattering

Abstract

We present a theoretical analysis of a broad range of aspects of intermediate energy nucleon-deuteron scattering. This analysis is based on a multiple scattering approach using knowledge of the deuteron's structure and nucleon-nucleon interactions. Conversely, comparison of this theory with experiment can yield information about low and intermediate energy strong interactions. The relationship of this multiple scattering type of approach to the complementary Faddeev equation approach is discussed. Our program consists of calculating the single scattering and one nucleon exchange contributions in a realistic way then parametrizing the remaining contributions as an S-wave. We argue that the largest error in this analysis is the P-wave part of the double scattering and we give estimates of its size. The single scattering integral is evaluated numerically. Coulomb effects are neglected. We derive the relativistic expressions for single scattering and nucleon exchange and discuss the approximations made, including the off-mass-shell extrapolation of the nucleon-nucleon scattering amplitude. Fits are made to experimental measurements of differential cross sections, nucleon polarizations, and total elastic cross sections. Unitarity is maintained. We tabulate the partial waves for J ⩽ 5 2 , L ⩽ 2. They are consistent with recent Faddeev calculations. We argue that with the additional calculation of double scattering the deuteron D-state percentage can be determined to the same relative uncertainty as the differential cross section. Even without the calculation of double scattering, our results indicate a D-state percentage around 8%. In an effort to provide benchmarks for future work, we have tried to be conscientious in describing our techniques and in tabulating numerical results. Comparisons are also made with earlier analyses.