Proton Elastic Scattering Polarization as a Test of the Low Energy Optical Model

The polarization produced in the elastic scattering of protons from carbon has been measured at several scattering angles using a bombarding energy of 9.4 MeV. This was compared with an optical model calculation of Bjorklund and Fernbach. At 40° scattering angle, the energy dependence of the polarization was measured. It was found to vary smoothly with energy down to 7.5 MeV. The polarization from proton scattering by copper at 35°, 45° and 55°, at an average scattering energy of 6.8 MeV was also measured.