ISIS Neutron and Muon Source Data Journal
This is a page describing data taken during an experiment at the ISIS Neutron and Muon Source. Information about the ISIS Neutron and Muon Source can be found at https://www.isis.stfc.ac.uk.
Measuring the size of a neutron wave packet
Abstract: Quantum particles, such as electrons and neutrons, can produce interference patterns similar to those observed with light waves in the famous Young's two-slit experiment. Even though each particle must pass through only one slit, it must sense the presence of both slits in order for the interference pattern to be formed. Within the framework of quantum mechanics, this phenomenon is "explained' by representing each particle as a wave packet of a particular spatial extent. Several experiments have been carried out to measure the wave packet width for neutrons with results varying up to 80 microns. Our goal is to use the SESANS method on Larmor and a diffraction-grating sample to improve current measurements, utilizing the fact that SESANS is inherently less sensitive to conventional resolution effects.
Public release date: 20 February 2026
Principal Investigator: Professor Roger Pynn
Experimenter: Dr Samuel McKay
Experimenter: Dr Steven Parnell
Experimenter: Dr Fankang Li
Local Contact: Dr Robert Dalgliesh
Experimenter: Mr Niels Geerits
DOI: 10.5286/ISIS.E.RB2220099-1
Parent DOI: 10.5286/ISIS.E.RB2220099
ISIS Experiment Number: RB2220099
Part Number: 1
Date of Experiment: 14 February 2023
Publisher: STFC ISIS Neutron and Muon Source
Data format: RAW/Nexus
Select the data format above to find
out more about it.
Data Citation
The recommended format for citing this dataset in a research
publication is as:
[author], [date], [title], [publisher],
[doi]
For Example:
Professor Roger Pynn et al; (2023): Measuring the size of a neutron wave packet, STFC ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, https://doi.org/10.5286/ISIS.E.RB2220099-1
Data is released under the CC-BY-4.0 license.
