Abstract

The problems of producing and characterizing x-ray mirrors and supermirrors for neutrons are similar. In both cases an abrupt change of the optical properties at the interfaces, low interface roughness and stability of the structure (low diffusion) are required. Unlike for x-rays there are many elements with low neutron absorption. In order to get a large neutron optical contrast at the interfaces, two materials with large coherent scattering length densities of opposite signs have to be combined.

© 1994 Optical Society of America