Some properties of the neutron monochromatic beams obtained by multiple Bragg reflections realized in bent perfect single crystals

Strong neutron multiple Bragg reflections (MBRs) excited by elastic bending have some excellent resolution properties that could be further exploited. MBR effects can create highly monochromatic and highly collimated beams of rather large cross section, which can find applications in high-resolution neutron scattering and neutron imaging instrumentation. The favourable properties of an MBR beam produced by means of bent perfect crystals of Si and Ge are demonstrated by the imaging of holes of diameter less than 1 mm in a Cd sheet, slits of width less than 1 mm in a Gd sheet and refraction effects on edges after the transmission of the MBR beam through office staples.