Average kinetic energy of atoms in a solid measured with resonant nuclear reactions

Abstract
Solid neon samples at 8±2 K and under vapor pressure were used to measure yield curves of the 272-keV nuclear resonance in the 21Ne(p,γ)22Na reaction. The Doppler broadening of the narrow resonance due to target atom motion was determined with very good beam energy resolution. The average kinetic energy of single neon atoms in the solid due to their motion in the beam direction was Ekin,z=1.06±0.2 meV (corresponding to an average kinetic energy of Ekin/k=37±7 K). This value is in good agreement with published values obtained from neutron Compton scattering and from path-integral Monte Carlo calculations.

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