$\mu$eV-deep neutron bound states in nanocrystals

TL;DR

This paper computationally demonstrates the existence of ultra-low-energy neutron bound states in nanocrystals, revealing potential for engineered neutronic 'molecules' based on nuclear interactions at nanoscales.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of -μeV-level neutron bound states in nanocrystals, a novel prediction of nuclear interaction effects at nanometer scales.

Findings

Neutron bound states at -μeV energies in nanocrystals.

Dependence of bound states on nanoparticle size, dimension, and nuclear spin polarization.

Potential for engineering artificial neutronic molecules.

Abstract

The nuclear strong force induces the widely studied neutron scattering states and MeV-energy nuclear bound states. Whether this same interaction could lead to low-energy bound states for a neutron in the nuclear force field of a cluster of nuclei is an open question. Here, we computationally demonstrate the existence of -$\mu$eV-level neutronic bound states originating from nuclear interaction in nanocrystals with a spatial extent of tens of nanometers. These negative-energy neutron wavefunctions depend on the size, dimension, and nuclear spin polarization of the nanoparticles, providing engineering degrees of freedom for the artificial neutronic "molecule".