Scientists at NIST have developed a new method to create holograms using neutron beams, allowing them to visualize the internal structures of solid objects in ways that traditional laser-based holography cannot. The technique involves passing neutrons through an object and measuring the resulting interference patterns, which reveal detailed information about the object’s interior structure.
The method builds on previous work where researchers noticed that neutrons passing through an aluminum cylinder with a spiral staircase carved into it changed phase depending on the thickness of the material. By using an interferometer to measure these phase changes, they were able to create holographic images of the object’s internal structure.
This new approach offers a more precise way to measure small features and buried interfaces within materials, potentially providing valuable insights for materials science and engineering applications. The research was a collaboration between scientists from NIST, the Joint Quantum Institute, North Carolina State University, and the University of Waterloo in Canada.
Keywords: Neutron, Interference, Holography, Neutron Beams, Metrology
