Progress on creation of a cold neutron spin filter at NIST using polarized {sup 3}He
Polarized cold neutrons are a useful tool in materials science to measure magnetic properties of materials and also in fundamental physics for studies of fundamental symmetries in beta decay or parity violation in nuclear interactions. Because the absorption cross section for neutrons on {sup 3}He differs by almost four orders of magnitude for spin-parallel and spin-antiparalle neutrons, this interaction is extremely promising for making a practical neutron spin filter. The polarized {sup 3}He, produced by spin-exchange with diode-laser optically pumped alkali vapor (another method of polarizing {sup 3}He, metastability exchange optical pumping, is discussed by T. Gentile at this meeting), strongly absorbs one spin state of an incident unpolarized neutron beam while the other spin state is only weakly absorbed. The design goal for a practical spin filter requires 50 cm{sup 3} of {sup 3}He at 3 atmospheres pressure and polarization of {ge}65%. Measurements at SLAC indicate that this should be possible with one 15W diode array. Recent results from this project and its current status will be presented.
- OSTI ID:
- 255539
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9510116-; ISSN 0003-0503; TRN: 96:015847
- Journal Information:
- Bulletin of the American Physical Society, Vol. 40, Issue 10; Conference: Fall meeting of the Division of Nuclear Physics of the American Physical Society, Bloomington, IN (United States), 25-28 Oct 1995; Other Information: PBD: Oct 1995
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Narrow band laser source for efficient 3He polarization
Development of a compact in situ polarized {sup 3}He neutron spin filter at Oak Ridge National Laboratory