Ultracold neutrons and the search for the electric dipole moment of the neutron

The present position on the search for the electric dipole moment (EDM) of the neutron is described and likely progress in the immediate future is discussed with reference to the ultracold neutron source requirements. Motivation for this research comes from the theoretical significance of the neutron EDM. Any mechanism which gives rise to an EDM in a free particle must involve the violation of parity P and time reversal symmetry T. The experimental apparatus at the Institut Laue-Langevin is described and problems associated with stability and systematic error are addressed. 15 refs., 3 figs