Researchers at NIST have successfully generated and detected neutrons with orbital angular momentum (OAM), a property that gives particles a “twisting” wave pattern. This is a significant advancement because, unlike light or electrons, neutrons are harder to manipulate due to their lack of charge and limited coherence. By using specially designed microfabricated gratings, NIST scientists created neutron beams with structured wavefronts, opening up new possibilities in quantum science and material analysis.
This development allows for more precise control over neutron wavefunctions and enables the recovery of phase information in neutron scattering experiments. This could lead to better understanding of quantum materials and improved techniques in spintronics and imaging. The use of arrays with millions of microfabricated elements increases the intensity and practicality of these structured neutron beams, making them more useful for scientific research. The technique is still in the experimental stage but shows great promise for future applications in neutron science.
Keywords: neutron structured waves, orbital angular momentum, OAM-based neutron interferometry
