Precision neutron interferometric measurement of the nd coherent neutron scattering length and consequences for models of three-nucleon forces

Abstract

We have performed the first high precision measurement of the coherent neutron scattering length of deuterium in a pure sample using neutron interferometry. We find b_nd = (6.665 +/- 0.004) fm in agreement with the world average of previous measurements using different techniques, b_nd = (6.6730 +/- 0.0045) fm. We compare the new world average for the nd coherent scattering length b_nd = (6.669 +/- 0.003) fm to calculations of the doublet and quartet scattering lengths from several modern nucleon-nucleon potential models with three-nucleon force (3NF) additions and show that almost all theories are in serious disagreement with experiment. This comparison is a more stringent test of the models than past comparisons with the less precisely-determined nuclear doublet scattering length of a_nd = (0.65 +/- 0.04) fm.

arXiv comment4 pages, 4 figures

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• Precision Measurement of the n-3He Incoherent Scattering Length Using Neutron Interferometry
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• Precision neutron interferometric measurements of the n-p, n-d, and n-3He zero-energy coherent neutron scattering amplitudes
• Measurement of the total neutron scattering cross section ratios of noble gases of natural isotopic composition using a pulsed neutron beam
• Universality in Few-Body Systems
• Effective Range Corrections in Few-Body Systems with large Scattering Length