Neutron Waves

Most recent answer: 03/28/2017

Q:
What kind of wave (deBroglie wavelength) generated by a neutron/neutrino as it move in free space? How can we measure the this kind of "neutron/neutrino wave" since it is not related to electromagnetic radiation? correct me if i' m wrong. Thanks
- TIAN SENG CHAN (age 27)
02600
A:

Neutron waves are used all the time in neutron scattering experiments. Neutrons scattering off matter show wave-like diffraction patterns just like light scattering off matter. Neutrons with wavelengths comparable to atomic spacing are particularly convenient for this purpose. Although most of the neutron scattering is driven by nuclear interactions, not electromagnetic ones, thanks to the neutron's magnetic moment, the electromagnetic interaction makes neutron scattering a great probe of magnetic structures.  See, e.g. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutron_scattering 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutron_scattering.

Neutrinos interact so weakly that we don't routinely use their wave-like properties. Nevertheless, these properties show up in neutrino oscillations, which cause the number of neutrinos from the Sun to be less than expected.

Mike W.


(published on 03/28/2017)