English

Surface roughness effect on ultracold neutron interaction with a wall and implications for computer simulations

Other Condensed Matter 2010-12-23 v2 Nuclear Theory Data Analysis, Statistics and Probability

Abstract

We review the diffuse scattering and the loss coefficient in ultracold neutron reflection from slightly rough surfaces, report a surprising reduction in loss coefficient due to roughness, and discuss the possibility of transition from quantum treatment to ray optics. The results are used in a computer simulation of neutron storage in a recent neutron lifetime experiment that re-ported a large discrepancy of neutron lifetime with the current particle data value. Our partial re-analysis suggests the possibility of systematic effects that were not included in this publication.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.0911.4115,
  title  = {Surface roughness effect on ultracold neutron interaction with a wall and implications for computer simulations},
  author = {A. Steyerl and S. S. Malik and A. M. Desai and C. Kaufman},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:0911.4115},
  year   = {2010}
}

Comments

39 pages, 9 figures; additional calculations included

R2 v1 2026-06-21T14:14:22.343Z