Single- and double-slit diffraction of neutrons

Abstract

The authors report detailed experiments and comparison with first-principle theoretical calculation of the diffraction of cold neutrons ($\ensuremath{\lambda}\ensuremath{\approx}2$ nm) at single- and double-slit assemblies of dimensions in the 20-100 \ensuremath{\mu}m range. Their experimental results show all predicted features of the diffraction patterns in great detail. Particularly, their double-slit diffraction experiment is its most precise realization hitherto for matter waves.