An optical device for ultra-cold neutrons - Investigation of systematic effects and applications

TL;DR

This paper presents an optical device for ultra-cold neutrons, demonstrating alignment techniques and analyzing systematic effects, with potential applications in testing neutron neutrality and gravity interactions.

Contribution

The paper introduces a novel optical device for ultra-cold neutrons and explores its systematic effects and alignment methods, enhancing precision in neutron experiments.

Findings

Successful measurement of neutron time-of-flight

Demonstration of a light-optical alignment method

Potential to test neutron neutrality at 10^{-22} level

Abstract

We developed an optical device for ultra-cold neutrons and investigated the influence of a tilt of its guiding components. A measurement of the time-of-flight of the neutrons through the device by means of a dedicated chopper system was performed and a light-optical method for the alignment of the guiding components is demonstrated. A comparative analysis of former experiments with our results shows the potential of such a device to test the electrical neutrality of the free neutron on the $10^{-22} q_{\rm e}$ level and to investigate the interaction of neutrons with gravity.