https://doi.org/10.1140/epja/i2008-10604-8
Regular Article — Experimental Physics
Neutron velocity distribution from a superthermal solid 2H2 ultracold neutron source
1
Institut für Kernchemie, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, Fritz-Strassmann-Weg 2, D-55128, Mainz, Germany
2
Institut für Physik, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, Staudingerweg 7, D-55128, Mainz, Germany
3
Physik-Department, Technische Universität München, James-Franck-Strasse, D-85748, Garching, Germany
4
PSI, Paul Scherrer Institut, CH 5232, Villigen PSI, Switzerland
5
Physikalisches Institut, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität, Heidelberg, Germany
6
Physics Department, University Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
7
Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute, Gatchina, Russia
* e-mail: manfred.daum@psi.ch
Received:
3
March
2008
Revised:
21
May
2008
Published online:
7
July
2008
We have determined for the first time the velocity distribution of neutrons from a solid 2H2 ultracold neutron (UCN) source. The spectrum rises sharply above 4.5m/s and has a maximum around 7m/s after transport in an 8m long guide. The number of neutrons in the UCN velocity range (< 7m/s) may be increased by a factor of two by placing the experiment 1m above the UCN source level.
PACS: 29.25.Dz Neutron sources – / 28.20.Gd Neutron transport: diffusion and moderation –
© SIF, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg, 2008