On the Interaction Between Neutrons and Electrons

On the Interaction Between Neutrons and Electrons
Author: Enrico Fermi
Publisher:
Total Pages: 28
Release: 1947
Genre: Electrons
ISBN:

The possible existence of a potential interaction between neutron and electron has been investigated by examining the asymmetry of thermal neutron scattering from xenon. It has been found that the scattering in the center-of-gravity system shows exceedingly little asymmetry. By assuming an interaction of a range equal to the classical electron radius, the depth of the potential well has been found to be 300℗±5000 ev. This result is compared with estimates based on the mesotron theory according to which the depth should be 12000 ev. It is concluded that the interaction is not larger than that expected from the mesotron theory; that, however, no definite contradiction of the mesotron theory can be drawn at present, partly because of the possibility that the experimental error may have been understimated, and partly because of the indefiniteness of the theories which makes the theoretical estimate uncertain.

An Assessment of U.S.-Based Electron-Ion Collider Science

An Assessment of U.S.-Based Electron-Ion Collider Science
Author: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 153
Release: 2018-10-13
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0309478561

Understanding of protons and neutrons, or "nucleons"â€"the building blocks of atomic nucleiâ€"has advanced dramatically, both theoretically and experimentally, in the past half century. A central goal of modern nuclear physics is to understand the structure of the proton and neutron directly from the dynamics of their quarks and gluons governed by the theory of their interactions, quantum chromodynamics (QCD), and how nuclear interactions between protons and neutrons emerge from these dynamics. With deeper understanding of the quark-gluon structure of matter, scientists are poised to reach a deeper picture of these building blocks, and atomic nuclei themselves, as collective many-body systems with new emergent behavior. The development of a U.S. domestic electron-ion collider (EIC) facility has the potential to answer questions that are central to completing an understanding of atoms and integral to the agenda of nuclear physics today. This study assesses the merits and significance of the science that could be addressed by an EIC, and its importance to nuclear physics in particular and to the physical sciences in general. It evaluates the significance of the science that would be enabled by the construction of an EIC, its benefits to U.S. leadership in nuclear physics, and the benefits to other fields of science of a U.S.-based EIC.

Introduction to the Theory of Thermal Neutron Scattering

Introduction to the Theory of Thermal Neutron Scattering
Author: G. L. Squires
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 273
Release: 2012-03-29
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1107644062

A long-awaited reprint of the book that has established itself as the classic textbook on neutron scattering. It will be an invaluable introductory text for students taking courses on neutron scattering, as well as for researchers and those who would like to deepen their knowledge on the subject through self-study.

Theoretical Basis and Mathematical Modeling of the Thermal Neutron Converters Based on Gadolinium Foils

Theoretical Basis and Mathematical Modeling of the Thermal Neutron Converters Based on Gadolinium Foils
Author: Djamshed A. Abdushukurov
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2018
Genre: Neutron counters
ISBN: 9781536142259

Converters of neutron radiation play a determining role in the development of detectors of these radiations. They define the basic characteristics of detectors: the efficiency of registration, energy, time and spatial resolution. Among the solid-state converters the gadolinium and its 157 isotopes are especially allocated, possessing abnormal high cross section of interaction with thermal neutrons. In the book, theoretical bases of the registration of neutron radiation by converters from gadolinium are considered. The efficiency of converters is the product of three variables. These are the following: (1) Probabilities of capture of thermal neutrons by nucleus; (2) Probabilities of creation the secondary charged particles, in our case the internal conversion and Auger electrons; (3) Probabilities of escape of created electrons from the material of the converter. Model calculations of registration efficiency of thermal neutrons by the foil converters made from natural gadolinium and its 157 isotope described. Processes of neutron absorption in the material of a converter and the probability of secondary electron escapes examined. Calculation made for converters with the various thicknesses, and other parameters of converters. It was chosen the most optimal converter thicknesses. The contribution low-energy Auger electrons radiated from L- subshell with the energy 4.84 keV and M-subsell with the energy 0.97 keV on efficiency of converters are lead. These electrons have rather small free path length in gadolinium; these are 0.3 microns (4.84 keV) and 0.04 microns (0.97 keV). But their contribution to become essential at use of converters from 157 gadolinium isotope as the length of free path of neutrons in them does not exceed 2-3 microns and this length to become comparable with length of electrons path. Estimation of contribution of X-rays and low-energy gamma-quantas absorbed directly in the converter and resulting of occurrence of secondary electrons was made. In case of the account of the contribution of electrons formed by X-ray quantas the efficiency is increased a little, but their contribution is no more, than by 1 %.