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Imaging electric field with electrically neutral particles

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/1821957· OSTI ID:1821957
 [1];  [2];  [2]
  1. Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
  2. National Inst. of Standards and Technology (NIST), Gaithersburg, MD (United States)

It used to think that is impossible to determine/measure electric field inside a physically isolated volume, especially inside an electrically shielded space, because a conventional electric-field sensor can only measure electric field at the location of the sensor, and when an electric-field source is screened by conductive materials, no leakage electric field can be detected. For first time, we experimentally demonstrated that electrically neutral particles, neutrons, can be used to measure/image electric field behind a physical barrier. This work enables a new measurement capability that can visualize electric-relevant properties inside a studied sample or detection target for scientific research and engineering applications.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
DOE Contract Number:
NA0003525
OSTI ID:
1821957
Report Number(s):
SAND2021-8183R; 699901
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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