Abstract
The total reflexion of subthermal and thermal neutrons from rough surfaces is analyzed in the limits of small and large roughness dimensions as compared to the neutron wave length. The analysis shows that the scattering distribution from a submicroscopically rough surface is determined by the spectrum of the roughness, concentrating near the directions of regular reflexion and transmission unless the surface irregularities exhibit a long-range correlation. It is shown that submicroscopic surface roughness and macroscopic waviness are the primary sources of reflexion losses in guide tubes for ultracold and thermal neutrons, respectively. The present theory explains experimental values for neutron guide tube transmission.
The diffraction due to surface roughness is also investigated for cold and ultracold neutron transmission through slabs whose thickness is comparable to or much larger than the neutron wave length. It is shown theoretically and experimentally that such scattering is significant in the ultracold neutron transmission through materials with large scattering potential.
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It is a pleasure to thank Prof. H. Maier-Leibnitz and Prof. H. Vonach for many valuable discussions and for facilitating this work. I am indebted to Dr. K. Binder for helpful discussions and suggestions; to Dr. E. Steichele for useful discussions and communication of unpublished data; to Dr. V. K. Ignatovich for stimulating discussions; and to Dr. Tischer, Siemens AG., Munich, for surface analyses by electron microscopy.
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Steyerl, A. Effect of surface roughness on the total reflexion and transmission of slow neutrons. Z. Physik 254, 169–188 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01380066
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01380066