Low-energy neutron-atom scattering: Process at the intersection of particle and nuclear physics

The determination of the charge radius and the polarizability of the neutron from low-energy neutron-atom scattering data are discussed. We concentrate on the theoretical methods to separate these structure constants and discuss improvements of the analyses. Our analyses of the most recent total neutron-atom cross section measurements are presented yielding the mean squared radius (left-angle r2 right-angle chn=-0.119±0.004±0.003fm2) and a preliminary value of the electric polarizability of the neutron. copyright 1995 American Institute of Physics