Ultracold Neutrons is a guide to a fascinating topic. It describes how a simple new idea in experimental neutron physics has changed the landscape of what is often called 'fundamental physics.' Ultracold neutrons (UCNs) are neutrons moving at the low speed of a bicycle rider. They were produced for the first time 50 years ago (in 1968) and are distinguished from ordinary neutrons with much higher energies by their ability to be confined in 'neutron bottles' for durations up to several hundred seconds. This is possible since they are reflected back and forth from the container walls many thousands of times with very little loss. As a result of these long observation times, their properties and interactions with the environment can be studied with superb precision.Directed towards a general readership, this book is an excellent introduction to a field of research that is not highly specialized but touches on many aspects of our physical world, classical as well as quantum mechanical.

Ultra-Cold Neutrons is a complete, self-contained introduction and review of the field of ultra-cold neutron (UCN) physics. Over the last two decades, developments in UCN technology include the storage of UCN in material and magnetic bottles for time periods limited only by the beta decay rate of the free neutron. This capability has opened up the possibility of a wide range of applications in the fields of both fundamental and condensed state physics. The book explores some of these applications, such as the search for the electric dipole moment of the neutron that constitutes the most sensitive test of time reversal invariance yet devised. The book is suitable as an introduction to the field for research students, as a useful compendium of results and techniques for researchers, and is of general interest to nonspecialists in other areas of physics such as neutron, atomic, and fundamental physics and neutron scattering.

Written by authors with an international reputation, acknowledged expertise and teaching experience, this is the most up-to-date resource on the field. The text is clearly structured throughout so as to be readily accessible, and begins by looking at scattering of a scalar particle by one-dimensional systems. The second section deals with the scattering of neutrons with spin in one-dimensional potentials, while the third treats dynamical diffraction in three-dimensional periodic media. The final two sections conclude with incoherent and small angle scattering, and some problems of quantum mechanics. With its treatment of the theories, experiments and applications involved in neutron optics, this relevant reading for nuclear physicists and materials scientists alike.

Slow-moving, low-energy ultracold neutrons provide an important tool for investigations in physics. They can be kept in hermetically sealed vessels for up to 15 minutes before they decay, allowing researchers sufficient time to observe the action of very weak fields and yielding valuable insights into neutron properties. In addition to describing how these particles are produced, detected, and analyzed, this book provides coverage of improvements in the techniques of ultracold neutron science--with information on how physicists may increase storage times--and explores ways they can be used for fundamental and applied research. Areas of study reported on include the determination of an upper limit to the electric dipole moment of neutrons, improved measurements of decay time, and new approaches to diffraction and diffusion theory. Although the text avoids mathematical detail, this is covered in appendices at chapter ends. The material is intended for specialists in neutron physics.

There is a great interest in improving the limits on neutron lifetime to the level of a precision of 0.1 s. The neutron lifetime is both an important fundamental quantity as well as a parameter influencing important processes such as nucleosynthesis (Helium production in the early universe) and the rate of energy production in the Sun.Aiming to create a roadmap of R&D for a next generation neutron lifetime experiment that can be endorsed by the North American neutron community, the focus of the workshop was on experiments using traps that utilize ultracold neutrons and confinement by a combination of magnetic and/or gravitational interaction in order to avoid systematic uncertainties introduced by neutron interactions with material walls. The papers in this volume summarize the limitations of present experiments, the discussion of new experiments in planning stage, and the discussion of systematic effects that must be addressed to achieve a lifetime measurement at an accuracy of 0.1 second.Cover image courtesy of Elena Fernández, Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Neutron optics studies the interactions of a beam of slow neutrons with matter. This book updates various advances on neutron optics. There will be a focus on the very active topics of neutron imaging (NI) and neutron spin optics (NSO). The book will also present applications of neutron beams in biomedicine, such as Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) and related techniques. Features: Discusses diffraction and interference of slow neutrons, including computational approaches Reviews neutron imaging (NI) and neutron spin optics (NSO) Treats two major sources of slow neutron beams: (1) fission reactions at nuclear reactors and (2) collisions in particle accelerators (small ones, spallation sources) of charged particle beams with targets of heavy atoms Selects subjects on fundamental quantum aspects of slow neutrons and on confined propagation and waveguiding thereof Updates slow neutron beams and BNCT