Neutron spin optics: Fundamentals and verification

Neutron spin optics (NSO) based on quantum aspects of the neutron interaction with magnetically anisotropic layers signifies transition in polarized neutron optics from 1D (spin selection) to 3D (spin manipulations). It may essentially widen the functionality of neutron optics. Among the advantages of NSO are compactness, zero-field option (guide fields are optional) and multi-functionality (beam spectrum, beam divergence and spin manipulations can be handled at the same time). Prospects in improving and developing neutron mirror spin turners (incl. flippers) are discussed. Two approaches to measurement of the efficiency of mirror flippers are introduced. The efficiency of a multilayer-backed neutron mirror flipper for monochromatic beams was found to be 97.5±0.5%. Such mirror flippers can combine monochromatization of a polarized beam with flipping spins of the monochromatized neutrons. To improve their performance, account of the spin-dependent refraction in the magnetic layer should be taken. For a monochromatic beam, supermirror-backed flippers are shown to be more advantageous, with a gain in intensity up to 4 times.