Ultracold Neutrons

Ultracold Neutrons is a guide to a fascinating topic. It describes how a simple new idea in experimental neutron physics has changed the landscape of what is often called ''fundamental physics.'' Ultracold neutrons (UCNs) are neutrons moving at the l... Read more

Ultracold Neutrons is a guide to a fascinating topic. It describes how a simple new idea in experimental neutron physics has changed the landscape of what is often called ''fundamental physics.'' Ultracold neutrons (UCNs) are neutrons moving at the low speed of a bicycle rider. They were produced for the first time 50 years ago (in 1968) and are distinguished from ordinary neutrons with much higher energies by their ability to be confined in ''neutron bottles'' for durations up to several hundred seconds. This is possible since they are reflected back and forth from the container walls many thousands of times with very little loss. As a result of these long observation times, their properties and interactions with the environment can be studied with superb precision.Requiring little physics background beyond secondary school level, the book is directed towards a general readership but will also help graduate students as an introduction to a field of research that is not specialized but touches on many aspects of our physical world, classical as well as quantum mechanical. Less