Deep inelastic neutron scattering anomalies and quantum decoherence in condensed matter

Abstract The anomalous proton–neutron scattering cross-section measurements and the proposed theoretical explanations are reviewed, stressing the ongoing debate on their reliability and accuracy. A recent hypothesis, based on the possibility of fast environment-induced decoherence effects in the scattering process, is reported in detail and carefully analyzed, pointing out some incorrect assumptions which can invalidate the model. Moreover, exploring the differences in neutron scattering from energy eigenstates, pure states and incoherent mixtures, we were also able to obtain a very general result that proves that no form of decoherence can be responsible for the observed deep inelastic neutron scattering anomalies.