Electron and neutron scattering from polymer films at high momentum transfer

Neutrons have been used in the past to measure Compton profiles of atomic motion. Recently it was found that similar information can be obtained using electron scattering experiments. In particular formvar and polyethylene were studied using both techniques, thus considerably extending the first results reported recently [C.A. Chatzidimitriou-Dreismann et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 91 (2003) 57403]. In this paper we review the underlying theoretical framework and compare the experimental realization of both techniques. The various steps required to analyze the data are outlined. Both in the neutron and electron experiments we found anomalous low intensities of the hydrogen contribution to the spectrum.