Broadband Neutron Interferometer

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel far-field neutron interferometer using a two phase-grating setup based on the universal moire effect, enabling high-flux neutron phase-contrast imaging with various beam types.

Contribution

It presents the first implementation of a multi-beam neutron interferometer utilizing the moire effect in the far-field regime, expanding neutron imaging capabilities.

Findings

Interference fringes achieved with monochromatic, bichromatic, and polychromatic beams.

Interferometer works with both continuous and pulsed neutron beams.

Enables utilization of full neutron flux for precise measurements.

Abstract

We demonstrate a two phase-grating, multi-beam neutron interferometer by using a modified Ronchi setup in a far-field regime. The functionality of the interferometer is based on the universal \moire effect that was recently implemented for X-ray phase-contrast imaging in the far-field regime. Interference fringes were achieved with monochromatic, bichromatic, and polychromatic neutron beams; for both continuous and pulsed beams. This far-field neutron interferometry allows for the utilization of the full neutron flux for precise measurements of potential gradients, and expands neutron phase-contrast imaging techniques to more intense polycromatic neutron beams.