Principal Investigator Boris Khaykovich
Neutron scattering is one of the most useful methods for studying the structure and dynamics of matter. Lacking electrical charge and interacting with atomic nuclei over a short range only, neutrons penetrate deep inside materials. As a result, neutron-scattering measurements can reveal, for example, atomic coordinates in crystal lattices, the molecular conformation of polymers, and structures of complex fluids. However, the penetrating power of neutrons makes focusing neutron beams very challenging. The toolbox of neutron optics is very limited compared to modern optical instruments for visible light and X-rays, which use a variety of focusing devices, including lenses, zone plates, and mirrors. We have pioneered and demonstrated novel neutron focusing optics based on axisymmetric grazing-incidence focusing mirrors (often referred to as Wolter optics) for neutrons, inspired by their successful use in X-ray astronomy. The mirrors have the potential to turn pinhole-camera-like neutron instruments into much more powerful microscopes.
Another project is the development of new ways of manufacturing neutron guides, which are long mirrors used to transport thermal neutrons between the source and samples at neutron research facilities.