The present data support a large anisotropy in accordance with phase shift predictions and in contrast to another recent experiment.
Measured deuteron angular distribution in the c.m. system. The errors shown are statistical only and there is an additional 10 PCT systematic uncertainty on the overall normalisation.
Legendre polynomial coefficients from a second order and fourth order fit.
Total cross section from second order fit.
The angular distributions of the unpolarised differential cross section and tensor analysing power $A_{xx}$ of the $\vec{d}d\to\alpha \eta$ reaction have been measured at an excess energy of 16.6 MeV. The ambiguities in the partial-wave description of these data are made explicit by using the invariant amplitude decomposition. This allows the magnitude of the s-wave amplitude to be extracted and compared with results published at lower energies. In this way, firmer bounds could be obtained on the scattering length of the $\eta \alpha$ system. The results do not, however, unambiguously prove the existence of a quasi-bound $\eta \alpha$ state.
Total cross section from fit to the differential angular distribution.
Differential angular distribution.
Analysing power measurements.