OPTIMIZING PERFORMANCE OF NEUTRON INTERFEROMETERS
Abstract
The perfect crystal neutron interferometer is an extremely sensitive device for verifying new concepts in quantum theory, the precise measurement of nuclear constants and non-destructive material analysis. The performance of such interferometers is strongly deteriorated in case of geometric imperfection. We at the Atominstitut of the Austrian Universities prepare the worldwide largest interferometers with lengths up to 21 cm cut from 4 inch monolithic perfect single crystal silicon ingots. The precision requirements are so demanding that we cannot rely on the precision of the cutting machines which is several microns for large crystals. Therefore we have developed an iterative procedure of precise determination and correction of geometric imperfections in the sub-micron range accompanied by numeric simulations of the fringe visibility. We will present improvements in interferometer quality using precise geometric measurements, numerical simulations and selective etching.
Event details
- Event
- XVI IMEKO World Congress
- Place
- Vienna, AUSTRIA
- Time
- 25 September 2000 - 28 September 2000