Microscopic optical model analysis of nucleon scattering from light nuclei

Differential cross sections for neutron elastic scattering from ${}_{}{}^{12}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{C}$, ${}_{}{}^{14}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{N}$, ${}_{}{}^{16}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{O}$, and ${}_{}{}^{27}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Al}$ have been measured in the energy range 18–26 MeV. These data, together with previously published neutron and proton data for these nuclei and for ${}_{}{}^{12}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{C}$ in the energy region 20 to 65 MeV, have been analyzed in terms of two microscopic optical potentials. The spherical potential derived from the work of Jeukenne, Lejeune, and Mahaux provides a consistent representation of the differential data, provided the imaginary central potential is renormalized. Predictions from the interaction of Brieva and Rook give less satisfactory agreement. In particular, there is a significant overprediction of the forward angle data below ∼25 MeV and an underprediction above ∼35 MeV.