Nuclear cross sections for the scattering of neutrons and protons

Abstract

Cross sections and polarization effects are calculated for the scattering of neutrons and protons by Al, Fe and Pb. The calculations are based on an optical model with rounded profile and spin orbit coupling, and are carried out in WKB approximation above 300 MeV and by exact computation of the phase shifts at lower energies. The nuclear radii determined from the high energy data are smaller than those reported in earlier studies of nuclear cross sections, and are close to the radii determined by the analysis of electron scattering at high energies. The radius obtained from the 300 MeV analysis also yields good results for the scattering of neutrons by Zr at 7 MeV. At all energies polarization data are found to be essential for the determination of the parameters of the model.