Multiple Scattering of Protons and Deuterons by Thick Foils

Protons and deuterons from the Triangle Universities Nuclear Laboratory (TUNL) tandem Van de Graaff of energies 3.0, 4.0, and 5.0 MeV were scattered from foils of Al, Ni, Mo2, and Ta having thicknesses of 6.14 to 47 mg/cm2. Multiple scattering angular distributions were measured using a position-sensitive detector to collect data at nine different angles simultaneously. Gaussian curves were fitted to the central points of the distributions and the θ1/e angles thus derived are presented graphically. The data points are compared with calculations using a common method of determining multiple scattering angles. An empirical correction for extending this method into the low energy and thick foil region considered here is suggested.