Strong scattering and parallel guiding of ultracold neutrons

TL;DR

This paper explores the strong scattering and parallel guiding of ultracold neutrons using C and lithium-7 metamaterials, enabling advanced interferometry and spectroscopy techniques with potential for high-resolution measurements.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of strong scattering in ultracold neutrons within metamaterials and demonstrates new experimental possibilities like interferometry and high-resolution spectroscopy.

Findings

Strong scattering achieved in C and $^7$Li metamaterials

Parallel waveguide arrays enable advanced neutron experiments

Potential for nano-electronvolt to pico-electronvolt resolution

Abstract

For ultracold neutrons with a kinetic energy below 10 neV, strong scattering, characterized by $2\pi l_{c} / \lambda\leq 1$, can be obtained in metamaterials of C and $^7$Li. Here $l_{c}$ and $\lambda$ are the coherent scattering mean free path and the neutron wavelength, respectively. UCN interferometry and high-resolution spectroscopy (nano-electronvolt to pico-electronvolt resolution) in parallel waveguide arrays of neutronic metamaterials are given as examples of new experimental possibilities.