Researchers at NIST and the University of Waterloo have developed a new neutron interferometer design that could make the advanced quantum technique more accessible to industry. The improved device, which measures how neutrons are altered as they pass through materials, is much more tolerant of environmental disturbances than previous versions.
The key innovation is adding a fourth vane to the standard three-vane design, which increases the interferometer’s symmetry and cancels out many disturbances. This allows the device to be housed in a smaller, more practical setup – about the size of a large charcoal grill – rather than requiring a large, vibration-free blockhouse.
The new design delivers more than 10 times as many neutrons to the sample, enabling faster and more accurate measurements. A measurement that previously took more than a week could now be completed in hours. This development could make neutron interferometry more accessible to industry and universities, potentially transforming the technique from an esoteric academic tool to a practical device for real-world applications.
Keywords: Neutron interferometry, Quantum mechanics, Neutron beams, Interference patterns, Quantum technologies
