A large-area neutron-interferometer optimized for coherent beam deflection: Applications

A large perfect crystal interferometer with two interference loops offers novel applications in neutron interferometry. Coherent beam manipulation with special prism and phase shifter arrangements is discussed and prism materials that are able to preserve beam coherence in case of thicker prisms are investigated. A set of four identical prisms has been used to determine the vertical coherence function in an experiment performed at instrument ILL-S18. Several proposals for new experiments are outlined for (a) squeezing in momentum space, (b) precise measurement of gravitational induced phase shifts, and finally, (c) the simulation of a split crystal interferometer.