Eur. Phys. J. A (2007) 34: 443-446
https://doi.org/10.1140/epja/i2007-10511-6

Regular Article - Theoretical Physics

What is the correct description of the slow neutron scattering in a gas?

Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, 141980, Dubna, Russia

^* e-mail: popov_ab@nf.jinr.ru

Received: 11 October 2007
Accepted: 20 December 2007
Published online: 18 January 2008

Abstract

The description of thermal neutron scattering in a noble gas is discussed. It is shown that the commonly used Placzek's approach is not consistent with Turchin's formalism, which is nicely confirmed by Monte Carlo calculations. A proposal is made concerning a more adequate description of the thermal motion of gas atoms in diffraction effect under slow neutron scattering by gas atoms.