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The interaction of UCN with a magnetic field

V. K. Ignatovich, G.B. Pontecorvo

Published Oct 11, 1990• 0 citations

Abstract

Abstract In this chapter the storage of neutrons in magnetic traps will be considered, as well as issues of UCN polarization and methods of analysing it, and also methods of UCN spin reversal. Magnetic traps have the advantage that no absorption or inelastic scattering exists in them within the range of thermal energies. There are, however, certain peculiarities that must be taken into account in estimating the UCN storage time in these traps. The magnetic field in a trap is extremely inhomogeneous and can confine neutrons within a restricted region of space only in the case of a certain neutron spin projection on to the field direction. When the spin direction changes, and in an inhomogeneous field it is sure to undergo changes, the magnetic ‘walls’ win stop being walls and a neutron will leave the trap with ease. It is noteworthy that a spin flip is most probable when the neutron is as far as possible from the ‘magnetic wall’, and not when it impinges upon the ‘wall’.

DOI: 10.1093/oso/9780198510154.003.0007

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Abstract In this chapter the storage of neutrons in magnetic traps will be considered, as well as issues of UCN polarization and methods of analysing it, and also methods of UCN spin reversal. Magnetic traps have the advantage that no absorption or inelastic scattering exists in them within the range of thermal energies. There are, however, certain peculiarities that must be taken into account in estimating the UCN storage time in these traps. The magnetic field in a trap is extremely inhomogeneous and can confine neutrons within a restricted region of space only in the case of a certain neutron spin projection on to the field direction. When the spin direction changes, and in an inhomogeneous field it is sure to undergo changes, the magnetic ‘walls’ win stop being walls and a neutron will leave the trap with ease. It is noteworthy that a spin flip is most probable when the neutron is as far as possible from the ‘magnetic wall’, and not when it impinges upon the ‘wall’.

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We analyze the accumulation of ultracold neutrons (UCNs) in a superfluid-helium converter vessel surrounded by a magnetic multipole reflector. We solved the spin-dependent rate equation, employing formulas valid for adiabatic spin transport of trapped UCNs in mechanical equilibrium. Results for saturation UCN densities are obtained in dependence of order and strength of the multipolar field. The addition of magnetic storage to neutron optical potentials can increase the density and energy of the low-field-seeking UCNs produced and serves to mitigate the effects of wall losses on the source performance. It also can provide a highly polarized sample of UCNs without need to polarize the neutron beam incident on the converter. This work was performed in preparation of the UCN source project SuperSUN at the Institut Laue--Langevin.