Impulse approximation neutron scattering from N2

We present the results of a detailed investigation of the inelastic neutron scattering from diatomic N2, at wave-vector transfers in the range Q = 20–100 Å−1 (1Å = 10−10 m). At intermediate Q, the scattering shows structure arising from the vibrational modes of the molecule, while at large Q the scattering is well described by the impulse approximation for the individual atoms, despite the fact that the corresponding energy transfers are considerably less than the maximum molecular excitation energies. We find good agreement for all Q with a calculation incorporating the internal rotational and vibrational modes of the molecule explicitly.