Dresden 2014 – scientific programme

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CPP: Fachverband Chemische Physik und Polymerphysik

CPP 7: Invited Talk by Martin Fally: Optics with Neutrons using Holographic Gratings (original: DF, joined by CPP, TT, KR)

CPP 7.1: Invited Talk

Monday, March 31, 2014, 09:30–10:15, GER 37

Optics with neutrons using holographic gratings — •Martin Fally¹, Jürgen Klepp¹, Christian Pruner², and Yasuo Tomita³ — ¹Faculty of Physics, Uni Wien, Austria — ²Department of Materials Science and Physics, Uni Salzburg, Austria — ³University of Electro-Communications, Tokyo, Japan

All neutron-optical phenomena are governed by the neutron-optical potential or, equivalently, the neutron refractive-index. Thus, an important task in the design of neutron-optical elements is to efficiently pattern the neutron refractive-index of materials. For this purpose we use light-sensitive materials and employ holographic techniques to produce diffraction gratings for neutrons.

After an introduction to the basics of neutron optics and the challenges as compared to light optics I will discuss our recent experiments, where we successfully demonstrated the power of this approach. Two- and three-port beam-splitters as well as free-standing film mirrors for cold and very-cold neutrons were set up by exploiting the Pendellösung interference effect. Another intriguing possibility is offered by holographic gratings containing superparamagnetic nanoparticles to produce business card-size neutron polarizers working in comparably low external magnetic induction. Such devices are being developed at present. Finally, I will give an outlook on novel neutron-scattering instrumentation and techniques which are expected from those advancements.

In collaboration with: I. Drevensek-Olenik, S. Gyergyek, J. Kohlbrecher, P. Geltenbort, R. A. Rupp