Channeling of Neutrons in the Potential Well of a Planar Waveguide

The channeling of neutrons in a three-layer planar waveguide with a neutron-optical potential well is studied. Neutrons incident on a sample surface, which propagate in a middle layer and escape from the waveguide end in the form of a narrow divergent beam, are detected. The decay parameter of a neutron wave inside the waveguide is measured as a function of the potential well depth. Experimental results are compared with a theory.