Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

American Journal of Physics

Wave-optical experiments with very cold neutrons

R. Gähler, Anton Zeilinger

Published Apr 1, 1991• 47 citations
Publisher

Abstract

A series of experiments is reviewed on precision measurements of the diffraction of slow neutrons paralleling those with light: diffraction at an absorbing edge, at an absorbing wire, and at single- and double-slit assemblies. Besides their educational value, the experimental results also provide precise confirmations of the theoretical predictions as calculated via a Fresnel–Kirchhoff approach. The intensity in all these experiments was so low that the formation of the interference patterns individual neutron by individual neutron could easily be observed. The experiments are presented and analyzed in a way suitable for undergraduate teaching.

DOI
10.1119/1.16540

Related papers

Experimental status and recent results of neutron interference optics

Anton Zeilinger, R. Gaehler, C. G. Shull +1 more

Up to the present time, perfect crystal interferometers of both two‐crystal and three‐crystal Laue‐case variety have been used to explore the optical characteristics of neutrons of diffracting wavelength. In addition, very recently the classical optical experiments on the diffraction by an absorbing edge, by an absorbing wire and by single and double slit assemblies have been performed for cold neutrons. These experiments show with high precision the validity for matter waves of the standard Fresnel‐Kirchhoff approach to diffraction.

AIP conference proceedings•Jan 1, 1982•12 citations

Single- and double-slit diffraction of neutrons

Anton Zeilinger, R. Gähler, C. G. Shull +2 more

The authors report detailed experiments and comparison with first-principle theoretical calculation of the diffraction of cold neutrons ($\ensuremath{\lambda}\ensuremath{\approx}2$ nm) at single- and double-slit assemblies of dimensions in the 20-100 \ensuremath{\mu}m range. Their experimental results show all predicted features of the diffraction patterns in great detail. Particularly, their double-slit diffraction experiment is its most precise realization hitherto for matter waves.

Reviews of Modern Physics•Oct 1, 1988•324 citations

Reduced coherence in double-slit diffraction of neutrons

Roderich Tumulka, Andrea Viale, Nino Zanghı̀

In diffraction experiments with particle beams, several effects lead to a fringe visibility reduction of the interference pattern. We theoretically describe the intensity one can measure in a double-slit setup and compare the results with the experimental data obtained with cold neutrons. Our conclusion is that for cold neutrons the fringe visibility reduction is due not to decoherence, but to initial incoherence.

arXiv:quant-ph/0608021•Physical Review A•May 21, 2007•12 citations

On the loss of coherence in double-slit diffraction of neutrons

Roderich Tumulka, Andrea Viale, Nino Zanghı̀

In diffraction experiments with particle beams, several effects lead to a fringe visibility reduction of the interference pattern. We theoretically describe the intensity one can measure in a double-slit setup and compare the results with the experimental data obtained with cold neutrons. Our conclusion is that for cold neutrons the fringe visibility reduction is due not to decoherence, but to initial incoherence.

•Aug 2, 2006•0 citations

QUANTUM THEORY OF NEUTRON DIFFRACTION

Xiang-Yao Wu, BAI-JUN ZHANG, Xiao-Jing Liu +3 more

Phenomena of electron, neutron, atomic, and molecular diffraction have been studied in many experiments, and these experiments have been explained by some theoretical works. We study neutron single and double-slit diffraction with a new quantum mechanical approach. The calculation results are compared with the experimental data obtained with cold neutrons.

International Journal of Modern Physics B•Jun 20, 2009•2 citations

Single-Slit Diffraction of Neutrons

C. G. Shull

Observations are reported on single-slit diffraction of monochromatic slow neutrons (wavelength 4.43 \AA{}) upon passage through fine slits of width between 21 and 4.1 \ensuremath{\mu}. Gadolinium-edged slits were used because of the high-absorption cross section for this material, and the angular broadening effects in the range up to 20\ensuremath{''} of arc were studied on a high-resolution double-crystal spectrometer utilizing perfect crystals of silicon. The observed broadening agrees well with that calculated, and this supplies evidence on the width of the coherent wavefront of a neutron wave packet.

Physical Review•Mar 15, 1969•111 citations
A series of experiments is reviewed on precision measurements of the diffraction of slow neutrons paralleling those with light: diffraction at an absorbing edge, at an absorbing wire, and at single- and double-slit assemblies. Besides their educational value, the experimental results also provide precise confirmations of the theoretical predictions as calculated via a Fresnel–Kirchhoff approach. The intensity in all these experiments was so low that the formation of the interference patterns individual neutron by individual neutron could easily be observed. The experiments are presented and analyzed in a way suitable for undergraduate teaching.
Up to the present time, perfect crystal interferometers of both two‐crystal and three‐crystal Laue‐case variety have been used to explore the optical characteristics of neutrons of diffracting wavelength. In addition, very recently the classical optical experiments on the diffraction by an absorbing edge, by an absorbing wire and by single and double slit assemblies have been performed for cold neutrons. These experiments show with high precision the validity for matter waves of the standard Fresnel‐Kirchhoff approach to diffraction.
The authors report detailed experiments and comparison with first-principle theoretical calculation of the diffraction of cold neutrons ($\ensuremath{\lambda}\ensuremath{\approx}2$ nm) at single- and double-slit assemblies of dimensions in the 20-100 \ensuremath{\mu}m range. Their experimental results show all predicted features of the diffraction patterns in great detail. Particularly, their double-slit diffraction experiment is its most precise realization hitherto for matter waves.
Observations are reported on single-slit diffraction of monochromatic slow neutrons (wavelength 4.43 \AA{}) upon passage through fine slits of width between 21 and 4.1 \ensuremath{\mu}. Gadolinium-edged slits were used because of the high-absorption cross section for this material, and the angular broadening effects in the range up to 20\ensuremath{''} of arc were studied on a high-resolution double-crystal spectrometer utilizing perfect crystals of silicon. The observed broadening agrees well with that calculated, and this supplies evidence on the width of the coherent wavefront of a neutron wave packet.