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Neutron Time Interferometry

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Abstract

We compare a “Mach-Zehnder interferometer in time” for cold neutrons with its well-known spatial counterpart and demonstrate the intimate connection between space and time for both setups. Further, we outline a combined space-time interferometer, which coherently splits a wavepacket in longitudinal and lateral direction. On the way towards time interferometry “neutron computer holography” seems to be an attractive application. It allows the three-dimensional reconstruction of an object from the scattered intensity, but in contrast to holography with light, there is no need for a reference wave. On the other hand, the possible resolution is worse than in the light case.

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Authors
  1. J. Felber
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  2. R. Gähler
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  3. R. Golub
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  4. P. Hank
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  5. V. Ignatovich
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  6. T. Keller
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  7. U. Rauch
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Felber, J., Gähler, R., Golub, R. et al. Neutron Time Interferometry. Foundations of Physics 29, 381–396 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1018814815026

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