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Neutron scattering from superfluid helium at large momentum transfers

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Abstract

The inelastic scattering of thermal neutrons from liquid helium at 1.2 K has been measured for wave-vector transfers in the range 6.0 ≤ Q ≤ 12.0 »−1. Oscillations in the widths of the scattered-neutron distributions as a function of Q are observed to persist at least up to 12.0 »−1. A simple physical model suggests that these oscillations, which reflect the presence of final-state interactions and interference effects, have their origin in similar oscillations which occur in the He-He scattering cross section. Detailed measurements at Q = 10.0»−1 show no evidence of a well-defined condensate peak, and calculations suggest that Q values in the range 50–100 »−1 or greater may be required to observe a separate condensate component in the line shape. A method is developed for eliminating a major part of the effects of final-state interactions from the Doppler part of the distributions, and the corrected data at Q = 10.0 »−1 are analyzed to determine the momentum distribution in liquid helium at 1.2 K. The resulting distribution is found to be non-Gaussian with a well-defined high-momentum tail. The result is compared with the momentum distribution obtained recently by Mook from thermal neutron time-of-flight data near Q = 15 »−1 and with theoretical calculations of McMillan and of Kalos.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, Chalk River, Ontario, Canada

    P. Martel, E. C. Svensson, A. D. B. Woods & V. F. Sears

  2. University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland

    R. A. Cowley

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  1. P. Martel
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  2. E. C. Svensson
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  3. A. D. B. Woods
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  4. V. F. Sears
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  5. R. A. Cowley
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Martel, P., Svensson, E.C., Woods, A.D.B. et al. Neutron scattering from superfluid helium at large momentum transfers. J Low Temp Phys 23, 285–301 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00116921

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