Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Letter
  • Published:

Guiding and focusing neutron beams using capillary optics

Nature volume 357, pages 391–393 (1992)Cite this article

Abstract

A METHOD for focusing X-rays by means of internal reflection inside hollow glass capillaries1–3has also been shown to be capable of guiding a neutron beam4 and now a neutron lens using this principle has been demonstrated5,6Here we study the properties of multiple capillary fibre bundles by measuring the transmission efficiency as a function of bending radius. The fibres used are shown to bend a neutron beam through 20° in a distance of 130 mm, with a transmission of 50%. A simple device made of a few fibres is used to demonstrate the focusing of cold neutrons (wavelength 0.2–0.9 mm) down to a 1-mm2spot size. These investigations will form the basis for the design of a neutron lens for use in materials research, or a beam bender capable of dividing and directing a neutron beam towards several experimental stations.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

  • Purchase on Springer Link
  • Instant access to full article PDF
Buy now

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Arkadiev, V. A. et al. Usp. Fiz. Nauk. 157, 529–537 (1989); (Engl. transl.) Sov. Phys. Usp. 32, 271–276 (1989).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Kumakhov, M. A. Nucl. Instrum. Methods B48, 283–286 (1990).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Kumakhov, M. A. & Komarov, F. F. Phys. Rep. 191, 289–350 (1990).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Kumakhov, M. A., Panin, Yu. N. & Sharov, V. A. Pis'ma Zh. tekh. Fiz. 16, 24–27 1990); (Engl. transl.) Sov. tech. Phys. Lett. 16, 371–372 (1990).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Kumakhov, M. A., Sharov, V. A. & Kvardakov, V. V. I. V. Kurchatov Inst. Atomic Energy IAE-5412/14 (Moscow, 1991).

  6. Kumakhov, M. A. & Sharov, V. A. Nature 357, 390–391 (1992).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  7. Lindstrom, R. M., Zeisler, R. & Rossbach, M. J. Radioanalysis Nucl. Chem. 112, 321–330 (1987).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Lindstrom, R. M., Fleming, R. F. & Rook, H. L. Microbeam Analysis 1988 (ed. Newbury, D. E. 407–408 (San Francisco Press, 1988).

    Google Scholar 

  9. Rossbach, M. et al. Nucl. Instrum. Methods B35, 181–190 (1988).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Mildner, D. F. R. Nucl. Instrum. Methods A292, 693–699 (1990).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chemical Science & Technology Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland, 20899, USA

    H. Chen, R. G. Downing &  Mildner

  2. Center for X-ray Optics, Department of Physics, State University of New York at Albany, Albany, New York, 12222, USA

    W. M. Gibson

  3. Institute for Roentgen Optical Systems, World Laboratory and I. V. Kurchatov Institute of Atomic Energy, Moscow, 123182, Russia

    M. A. Kumakhov, I. Yu. Ponomarev & M. V. Gubarev

Authors
  1. H. Chen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. R. G. Downing
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Mildner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. W. M. Gibson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. M. A. Kumakhov
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. I. Yu. Ponomarev
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. M. V. Gubarev
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Chen, H., Downing, R., Mildner et al. Guiding and focusing neutron beams using capillary optics. Nature 357, 391–393 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1038/357391a0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/357391a0

This article is cited by

Comments

By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.

Search

Advanced search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing