Measurements have been made of ΔσT for polarized neutrons incident on a polarized-proton target from 3.65 to 11.60 MeV. In the energy range near 10 MeV, ΔσT is very sensitive to the nucleon-nucleon tensor interaction. Comparison of the data to potential-model predictions indicate that the tensor interaction is weak, resulting in values of the 3S1−3D1 mixing parameter ε1 which are smaller than predicted by any nucleon-nucleon potential model. A smaller tensor force will bring the predictions of local potential models for the triton binding energy into closer agreement with the experimental value.
The measured cross section is the total cross section with the spins antiparallel minus the total cross section with the spins parallel.