The effect of the electric polarizability of the deuteron upon its electric scattering is discussed for cases in which $\frac{Z{e}^2}{\hslash v}\gg 1$ and the classical closest distance of approach is so large that the effects of direct nuclear interaction are negligible. Under such circumstances, the chief departure from the Rutherford scattering law is due to the polarizability of the deuteron. The magnitude of the departure is calculated, and in particular, the polarizability contribution to backward scattering is estimated to be respectively about 3 percent and 4 percent for 8-Mev and 10-Mev deuterons scattered by bismuth and uranium.

• Received 25 May 1953

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRev.91.1165