Novel method of phase determination in neutron reflectometry using reference layer

We describe a novel method for phase recovery in neutron reflectometry which is based on using Gd reference layer of known thickness. Deposition of Gd reference layer at the top of unknown nanostructure allows us to reconstruct the complex reflection coefficient from the structure and to solve phase problem for magnetic nanostructures under investigation. This method makes it possible to use direct model-independent approaches (for example, Gelfand-Levitan-Marchenko approach) to obtain the scattering potential. (paper)