High angular resolution neutron interferometry

Nucl Instrum Methods Phys Res A. 2011 Apr 1;634(1-2):S46-S49. doi: 10.1016/j.nima.2010.06.092.

Abstract

The currently largest perfect-crystal neutron interferometer with six beam splitters and two interference loops offers novel applications in neutron interferometry. The two additional lamellas can be used for quantitative measurements of a phase shift due to crystal diffraction in the vicinity of a Bragg condition. The arising phase, referred to as "Laue phase," reveals an extreme angular sensitivity, which allows the detection of beam deflections of the order of 10(-6) s of arc. Furthermore, a precise measurement of the Laue phase at different reflections might constitute an interesting opportunity for the extraction of fundamental quantities like the neutron-electron scattering length, gravitational short-range interactions in the sub-micron range and the Debye Waller factor. For that purpose several harmonics can be utilized at the interferometer instrument ILL-S18.