np scattering measurements at 96 MeV - art. no. 044001

The differential np scattering cross section has been measured at 96 MeV in the angular range theta (c.m.) =74-180 degrees at the neutron beam facilit y of the The Svedberg Laboratory in Uppsala. A subset of the data, covering 116-180 degrees, has previously been published. The new, extended angular distribution has been normalized to the experimental total np cross section . Between 150 degrees and 180 degrees, the angular distribution is steeper than for most previous measurements and nucleon-nucleon potential predictio ns. At 180 degrees, the difference amounts to about 10%, implying serious c onsequences because of the fundamental importance of this cross section. A value of the charged pi NN coupling constant consistent with our earlier re sult at 162 MeV has been extracted from the data.