Cross section of slow neutrons on orthodeuterium

Abstract

The total cross section of slow neutrons on gaseous orthodeuterium has been measured near 22 K and at pressures ranging from 145 to 300 Torr. The results give rise to a set of values for the neutron-deuteron scattering lengths that are in significant disagreement with the latest liquid mirror measurements. The relationship between the scattering lengths was found to be: ${(2{a}_{4}+{a}_{2})}^{2}+(\frac{5}{4}){({a}_{4}\ensuremath{-}{a}_{2})}^{2}=(2.313\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.003)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}24}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$.