Eur. Phys. J. A (2006) 27: 105-127
https://doi.org/10.1140/epja/i2005-10189-8

Interdisciplinary Topics

Bulk effects in the coherent inelastic scattering of ultracold neutrons

Kurchatov Institute, 123182, Moscow, Russia

Received: 1 October 2005
Accepted: 21 December 2005
Published online: 30 January 2006

Abstract

With the use of a theory developed earlier, bulk effects in ultracold neutron coherent inelastic scattering are considered both for solid and liquid target samples related to energy and momentum exchange with phonon and diffusion-like modes. For the neutron in a material trap, differential and integral probabilities for the energy transfer per bounce are presented in a simple analytic form which exhibits parameter dependence. As an example, the theoretical values for the ultracold-neutron loss rate from a storage bottle with Fomblin-coated walls and stainless-steel walls are evaluated. A possible contribution from incoherent inelastic scattering is discussed.