Investigating solid $α-^{15}$N$_{2}$ as a new source of ultra-cold neutrons

D. J. Salvat; E. Gutsmiedl; C. -Y. Liu; P. Geltenbort; A. Orecchini; S. Paul; H. Schober

doi:10.1209/0295-5075/103/12001

paper

Investigating solid $α -^{15}$ N $_{2}$ as a new source of ultra-cold neutrons

arXiv:1306.5455 · doi:10.1209/0295-5075/103/12001

Abstract

The dynamical structure factor of solid $^{15}$ N $_{2}$ in the $α$ phase ( $T < 35$ K) is measured at the IN4 time-of-flight spectrometer at the Institut Laue Langevin, and the potential performance of this substance as a UCN converter is assessed. The cross-section to down-scatter neutrons to ultra-cold neutron energies is determined as a function of incident energy, as well as the up-scattering mean free path. The UCN production cross-section is found to be approximately 20% of that of deuterium. However, UCN with energy 181 neV have an up-scattering mean free path of 46 cm at $T = 5.9$ K, which is $\sim 20$ times larger than deuterium. Therefore, a large volume $α -^{15}$ N $_{2}$ source may produce an improved UCN density if sufficient isotopic purity can be achieved.

7 pages, 6 figures

Investigating solid α−15N2​ as a new source of ultra-cold neutrons

Abstract

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Investigating solid $α -^{15}$ N $_{2}$ as a new source of ultra-cold neutrons