Article
Article
Neutron optics
Article By:
Greenberger, Daniel M. Department of Physics, City College of the City University of New York, New York, New York.
Last reviewed:June 2020
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.451000
The general class of experiments designed to emphasize the wavelike character of neutrons. Like all elementary particles, neutrons can be made to display wavelike, as well as particlelike, behavior. They can be reflected and refracted, and they can scatter, diffract, and interfere, like light or any other type of wave. Many classical optical effects, such as Fresnel diffraction, have been performed with neutrons, including even those involving the construction of Fresnel zone plates. A perfect double-slit neutron interference pattern is shown in Fig. 1. This pattern not only conforms closely to the predictions of scalar diffraction theory, but can be used to put a stringent upper limit on possible nonlinear contributions to the Schrödinger equation, which determines how the neutron propagates. See also: Diffraction; Interference of waves; Reflection of electromagnetic radiation; Refraction of waves; Scattering of electromagnetic radiation; Wave (physics)
The content above is only an excerpt.
About AccessScience
AccessScience provides the most accurate and trustworthy scientific information available.
Recognized as an award-winning gateway to scientific knowledge, AccessScience is an amazing online resource that contains high-quality reference material written specifically for students. Contributors include more than 10,000 highly qualified scientists and 46 Nobel Prize winners.
MORE THAN 8700 articles covering all major scientific disciplines and encompassing the McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science & Technology and McGraw-Hill Yearbook of Science & Technology
115,000-PLUS definitions from the McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms
3000 biographies of notable scientific figures
MORE THAN 19,000 downloadable images and animations illustrating key topics
ENGAGING VIDEOS highlighting the life and work of award-winning scientists
SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER STUDY and additional readings to guide students to deeper understanding and research
LINKS TO CITABLE LITERATURE help students expand their knowledge using primary sources of information
