Form Factor and Neutron Scattering

[rwilliams184]

Hi all

Can someone please describe how the form factor used in Rutherford scattering is applicable to neutron probing of nuclei?

Also, is the kinetic energy required to probe a given radius simply given by the de Broglie wavelength where momentum, p >= h-bar / Radius ? (Relativity neglected)

Thanks

 

[M Quack]

For nuclear scattering for neutrons there is no form factor, because the nucleus is so tiny.

X-ray and magnetic neutron scattering probe the electrons which are quite extended. The form factor is basically the Fourier transform of the electron density around the nucleus. The FT of a delta distribution is constant, hence no form factor for nuclear scattering.

Kinetic energy is p^2/2m