Chinese Physics Letters
A New Approach of Quantum Mechanics for Neutron Single-Slit Diffraction
Xiang-Yao Wu, Yang Jing-hai, Xiao-Jing Liu, Li Wang, Liu Bing, Fan Xi-Hui, Guo Yi-Qing
Abstract
Phenomena of electron, neutron, atomic and molecular diffraction have been studied in many experiments, and these experiments are explained by many theoretical works. We study neutron single-slit diffraction with a quantum mechanical approach. It is found that the obvious diffraction patterns can be obtained when the single-slit width a is in the range of 3λ~60λ. We also find a new quantum effect of the thickness of single-slit which can make a large impact on the diffraction pattern. The new quantum effect predicted in our work can be tested by the neutron single-slit diffraction experiment.