Neutron Charge and Neutron Interferometry

The Fundamental Neutron and Precision Physics Group is currently starting a new project with the goal to measure the neutron electric charge. In order to be able to detect tiny deflections of a neutron beam, e.g. induced by the interaction of an electric charge with an external electric field, we are developing a novel precision neutron Talbot-Lau interferometer setup. The method is described in a recent article published in Phys. Rev. C.

The project receives funding via the Swiss National Science Foundation under grant no. 200021_181996.

Scheme of the Talbot-Lau interferometer setup to measure the neutron electric charge.
Scheme of the Talbot-Lau interferometer setup to measure the neutron electric charge.
Optical interferometer test bench.
Optical interferometer test bench.