Original scientific paper

Quantum theory of neutron multiple-slit diffraction

Xiang-Yao Wu ; Institute of Physics, Jilin Normal University, Siping 136000, China
Bai-Jun Zhang ; Institute of Physics, Jilin Normal University, Siping 136000, China
Xiao-Jing Liu ; Institute of Physics, Jilin Normal University, Siping 136000, China
Chun-Li Zhang ; Institute of Physics, Jilin Normal University, Siping 136000, China
Bing Liu ; Institute of Physics, Jilin Normal University, Siping 136000, China
Yi-Qing Guo ; Institute of High Energy Physics, PO Box 918(3),Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
Yi-Heng Wu ; Institute of Physics, Jilin Normal University, Siping 136000, China
Yan Wang ; Institute of Physics, Jilin Normal University, Siping 136000, China
Qing-Cai Wang ; Institute of Physics, Jilin Normal University, Siping 136000, China

Abstract

We study neutron multiple-slit diffraction with a quantum mechanical approach. For the double-slit diffraction, we obtain the following results: (1) when the ratio (d + a)/a = n (n = 1, 2, 3, · · ·), orders n, 2n, 3n, · · · are missing in the diffraction pattern. (2) When the ratio of (d + a)/a /= n (n = 1, 2, 3, · · ·), there isn’t any missing order in the diffraction pattern. For diffraction on N (N ≥ 3) slits, we obtain the following results: (1) There are N − 2 secondary maxima and N − 1 minima between the two principle maxima. (2) As the slit number N increases, the diffraction intensity increases and the peak widths become narrower. (3) As the slit width increases, the diffraction intensity increases and the pattern width becomes narrower. (4) When the two-slit distance d increases, the number of principle maxima increases and the pattern becomes narrower. (5) We find a new quantum effect that the slit thickness c has a large effect to the multiple-slit diffraction pattern. We think all predictions in this work can be tested by neutron multiple-slit diffraction experiments.

Keywords

matter-wave; neutron multiple-slit diffraction

Hrčak ID:

304584

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/304584

Publication date:

1.11.2009.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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