Observation of extremely strong neutron scattering

Strong scattering and parallel guiding of ultracold neutrons

“…In addition to being a Fermion, neutrons provide an attractive method to study and observe localization due to a number of features such as their weak interactions with its surroundings, weak interactions amongst themselves except at extremely short distances on the order of 1 fm, finite neutron lifetime (∼ 900 s) and unique beta-decay signatures, which are absent from other matter waves such as electrons or even cold atoms. Several groups have previously recognized the possibility of neutron localization in materials with neutron scattering length a c > 0 or refractive index n < 1 [16][17][18], based on the neutron total reflection, or n → 0 when the neutron energy is slightly above the Fermi peudopotential for a neutron, E = V F + . Observation of extremely strong neutron scattering was reported in quartz (SiO 2 ) [16].…”

“…Several groups have previously recognized the possibility of neutron localization in materials with neutron scattering length a c > 0 or refractive index n < 1 [16][17][18], based on the neutron total reflection, or n → 0 when the neutron energy is slightly above the Fermi peudopotential for a neutron, E = V F + . Observation of extremely strong neutron scattering was reported in quartz (SiO 2 ) [16]. An independent experimental study did not observe an onset of Anderson localization in SiO 2 and several other disordered media [18].…”