Non-Dispersive Measurement of the Transverse Coherence Length of a Cold Neutron Beam

Abstract

We have measured the transverse coherence length of a cold neutron beam using Jamin-type cold neutron spin interferometer. It can control the transverse shift between the superposed two paths with no dispersion. We have observed clearly that the contrast of interference fringes varies according to the coherence function determined by the collimation of the beam. The measured coherence length was consistent with the estimate by the standard deviation of the neutron transverse momentum distribution.