Calculations of Neutron-Deuteron Scattering

Exact three-body calculations using separable two-body interactions have been carried out for the neutron-deuteron system at low and intermediate energies. Binding energies, scattering lengths, angular distributions, and total cross sections for n-d scattering and the total break-up cross sections for n+d→n+n+p have been obtained. These agree well with experimental data where available, indicating that nucleon exchange is the dominant mechanism at these energies. Other theoretical results presented are the partial-wave scattering amplitudes, phase shifts, and angular distributions for the quartet and doublet spin states of the n-d system. Diffraction scattering is noted in the doublet state, and its development as a function of energy is traced. Further refinements and future calculations are discussed and outlined.