Neutron optical beam splitter from holographically structured nanoparticle-polymer composites.
We report a breakthrough in the search for versatile diffractive elements for cold neutrons. Nanoparticles are spatially arranged by holographical means in a photopolymer. These grating structures show remarkably efficient diffraction of cold neutrons up to about 50% for effective thicknesses of only 200   μm. They open up a profound perspective for next generation neutron-optical devices with the capability to tune or modulate the neutron diffraction efficiency.
Fally
M
M
Faculty of Physics, University of Vienna, Boltzmanngasse 5, A-1090 Wien, Austria. martin.fally@univie.ac.at
Klepp
J
J
Tomita
Y
Y
Nakamura
T
T
Pruner
C
C
Ellabban
M A
MA
Rupp
R A
RA
Bichler
M
M
Olenik
I Drevensek
ID
Kohlbrecher
J
J
Eckerlebe
H
H
Lemmel
H
H
Rauch
H
H