Polarization in the elastic scattering of 12 MeV deuterons by 12C, 56Fe and 58Ni

Abstract

Angular distributions are presented of the vector polarization of 12 MeV deuterons elastically scattered by 12C, 56Fe and 58Ni for lab scattering angles 20–160°. The vector polarized deuteron beam from the Birmingham Radial Ridge Cyclotron polarized deuteron source was used, and the experimental method involved frequent “on-off” switching of the polarization at the source. Asymmetries were measured, using semiconductor detector telescopes in the scattering plane, against simultaneous readings of a carbon polarimeter whose analysing power was calibrated by means of the d- 4He scattering. Large values of polarization were observed for 12C; the medium-weight nuclei 56Fe and 58Ni showed characteristic oscillatory patterns of lower amplitude. An attempt was made to explain the results in terms of optical-model predictions, and the calculations seem to favour a potential for deuterons approximating the sum of the proton and neutron optical model potentials.