In the elastic scattering cross section curves of the neutron with various nuclei, some "dips", which are interpreted as the interference between potential scattering and resonance scattering, can be noticed.
My question is: for the MeV neutrons, the time scale of potential scattering is 10^-21s, which is far smaller than 10^-16s, that of resonance scattering after a compound nucleus is formed, thus how the wavefunctions caused by the two scattering processes can interfere with each other and lead to the "dips"?
It is not only the time scale but also the probability of interaction, the beam of fast neutrons with potential scattering has not the zero probability of further cross sections. Thus, one can see dips on the total elastic cross section curve over the time scale of resonance.
Dear Dr. Hussain
Thank you for the reply.
The "further cross section" is necessary, but how could it explain the difference between the time scale of "potential scattering" and "compound scattering". When the "compound scattering" happens at the 10-^16s after the neutron absorption, the "potential scattering" has finished for a long time. How can they interfere with each other?
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