Scaling properties of the longitudinal and transversal asymmetries of the $\vec{n}\vec{d}$ total cross section

Abstract

The longitudinal and transversal asymmetries of the total $\vec{n}\vec{d}$ cross section are calculated. Four modern nucleon-nucleon interactions: AV18, CD Bonn, NijmI and NijmII, give different predictions for these observables. When the three-nucleon Hamiltonian is supplemented by the $2π$-exchange Tucson-Melbourne three-nucleon force (3NF), individually adjusted with each particular NN potential to reproduce the experimental triton binding energy, all predictions practically coincide. We propose to check this scaling behavior experimentally in order to get a clear signal for 3NF effects in the low energy three-nucleon continuum. Connected to that is the proposal to measure the energy at which the longitudinal asymmetry goes through zero. This energy is shifted by about 400 keV when 3NF's are acting.