Ultra-cold Neutron Production in Anti-ferromagnetic Oxygen Solid

TL;DR

This paper explores how magnons in anti-ferromagnetic solid oxygen can serve as an efficient mechanism for producing ultra-cold neutrons, potentially surpassing existing materials like solid deuterium.

Contribution

It introduces a novel UCN production mechanism via magnons in anti-ferromagnetic oxygen, with calculations showing higher efficiency than traditional materials.

Findings

Magnons dominate energy exchange in solid oxygen for UCN production.

Solid oxygen could be a more efficient UCN source than solid deuterium.

Calculated rates suggest significant potential for UCN generation.

Abstract

Spin waves, or magnons, in the anti-ferromagnetic $\alpha$ phase of solid oxygen provide a novel mechanism for ultra-cold neutron (UCN) production. Magnons dominate the energy exchange mechanisms for cold neutrons and UCN in solid $\alpha$-oxygen, much in the same way as do phonons in solid deuterium superthermal UCN sources. We present calculations of UCN production and upscattering rates in S-O$_2$. The results indicate that S-O$_2$ is potentially a much more efficient UCN source material than solid deuterium.