The tetraneutron revisited
Abstract
The present search for tetraneutrons ( 4n) in ( 3He +Te) interactions yields negative results. The formation probability ( F) of a tetraneutron per 4 neutrons is determined to be smaller than 1.5 × 10 -7 if the 4n half-life (t {1}/{2}) is assumed to be longer than 10 -9 s. If t {1}/{2} < 10 -9 s, quantities t {1}/{2} and F depend upon each other according to the relation Ft {1}/{2} < 1.5 × 10 -16s. The upper limits for the average ( 3He, 4n) cross section are 28 and 19 μb at 44 and 130 MeV bombarding energies, respectively. These limits are two orders of magnitude lower than a recently reported positive value.
- Publication:
-
Nuclear Physics A
- Pub Date:
- December 1980
- DOI:
- 10.1016/0375-9474(80)90393-0
- Bibcode:
- 1980NuPhA.350..149D