Data on elastic (p,n) charge exchange: compilation

Data on differential cross sections for elastic p(n,p)n charge exchange in the kinetic energy range from 50 MeV up to ∼ 250 GeV are compiled. Phenomenological parametrizations of the |t|-dependence at forward angles as well as the energy dependence of the forward differential cross section dσ(0)/dt, valid in this energy range, are suggested. The data at |t| ≤ 12mπ2 demonstrate a surprising universal pattern when the initial energy changes within almost 4 orders in magnitude. This pattern is probably determined by π- and ρ-meson-like exchange interfering contributions to the reaction amplitude. Surprisingly, at energies between 60 and 75 GeV the interference suddenly changes its type from constructive to destructive one, but the relative strength of the two exchanges remains approximately the same. The old-fashioned 'two-exponential' parametrization, inspired by high-energy (above 1 GeV) data, has no deep physical meaning for this reaction