Strong scattering and parallel guiding of ultracold neutrons

Abstract

For ultracold neutrons with a kinetic energy below 10 neV, strong scattering, characterized by $2\ddot{I}€l_c/\hat{I}»\le 1$, can be obtained in metamaterials of C and ${}^7$Li. Here $l_c$ and $\hat{I}»$ are the coherent scattering mean free path and the neutron wavelength, respectively. UCN interferometry and high-resolution spectroscopy (nano-electronvolt to pico-electronvolt resolution) in parallel waveguide arrays of neutronic metamaterials are given as examples of new experimental possibilities.

6 pages, 5 figures