Anomalous neutron Compton scattering in Nb hydride: Indications of proton correlations

Citation
Eb. Karlsson et al., Anomalous neutron Compton scattering in Nb hydride: Indications of proton correlations, EUROPH LETT, 46(5), 1999, pp. 617-623
Citations number
20
Categorie Soggetti
Physics
Journal title
EUROPHYSICS LETTERS
ISSN journal
02955075 → ACNP
Volume
46
Issue
5
Year of publication
1999
Pages
617 - 623
Database
ISI
SICI code
0295-5075(19990601)46:5<617:ANCSIN>2.0.ZU;2-F
Abstract
Neutron Compton scattering probes properties of matter at time scales of th e order of 10(-16)-10(-15) s. Very strong anomalies in the cross-sections f or protons were observed for scattering on NbHx and NbHxDy. The effective p roton cross-section was found to vary with the time of observation (first u sed as a parameter in the present experiments) being reduced by 30% at time s around 10(-16) s but reaching its conventional value for times larger tha n 2.10(-15) s. No conventional explanation for this anomaly (which indicate s some kind of very short-lived correlations) is known. A tentative explana tion is that during such short time intervals, nearby protons are quantum c orrelated (even at ambient temperatures) in such a manner that their neutro n cross-sections are modified.