Potential for Using Negative Spin Components in Neutron Polarizers. First Results

The results of experimental verification of the feasibility of enhancing the efficiency of neutron-beam polarizers based on magnetized supermirrors are presented. The idea is to use both spin components of a neutron ensemble in a beam. The positive component is reflected from one magnetized mirror, and the negative component, which passes through it, is rotated by 180° and reflected from another mirror. Both beams were detected by a single detector. With the coefficients of reflection of spin components from the mirrors and the efficiency of rotation of the negative component factored in, an approximately twofold enhancement of the neutron intensity was obtained at an average polarization of ~66%. A monochromatic neutron beam was used in these experiments.