Phonon and Magnetic Neutron Scattering at 41 Mev in YBa₂Cu₃O₇

We report inelastic neutron scattering measurements at excitation energies Latin small letter h with strokeω~41 meV in YBa2Cu3O7. We separate magnetic and phonon contributions to the scattering cross section by a detailed analysis of the momentum dependence of the scattered intensity. The previously reported broad peak around q=(π/a,π/a) in the normal state can be entirely accounted for by a phonon which primarily involves vibrations of the in-plane oxygen. Magnetic scattering centered around 41 meV and q=(π/a,π/a) appears in the superconducting state only. Theoretical implications of these findings are discussed.