The Fundamental Neutron Physics Facilities at NIST

J Res Natl Inst Stand Technol. 2005 Jun 1;110(3):137-44. doi: 10.6028/jres.110.013. Print 2005 May-Jun.

Abstract

The program in fundamental neutron physics at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) began nearly two decades ago. The Neutron Interactions and Dosimetry Group currently maintains four neutron beam lines dedicated to studies of fundamental neutron interactions. The neutrons are provided by the NIST Center for Neutron Research, a national user facility for studies that include condensed matter physics, materials science, nuclear chemistry, and biological science. The beam lines for fundamental physics experiments include a high-intensity polychromatic beam, a 0.496 nm monochromatic beam, a 0.89 nm monochromatic beam, and a neutron interferometer and optics facility. This paper discusses some of the parameters of the beam lines along with brief presentations of some of the experiments performed at the facilities.

Keywords: cold neutrons; electroweak interactions; neutron interferometer; polarized neutrons; spin filters; ultracold neutrons.