Additive-Manufactured and Topology-Optimized Permanent-Magnet Spin Rotator for Neutron Interferometry

Abstract

Topology-optimized 3D-printed magnets are interesting for Larmor spin-rotators in neutron optics in general, and in neutron interferometry in particular. Using 3D-printed magnets instead of magnetic coils avoids heat dissipation, which is the the main cause of loss in fringe visibility, due to temperature gradients in the interferometer. This study applies the technique to implement an arbitrary neutronic phase gate, for rotations of up to $4\ensuremath{\pi}$ of the neutron's spinor wave function in one arm of the interferometer. This is achieved by varying the distance between the 3D-printed magnets, while maintaining homogeneity of the magnetic action over the neutron beam's profile.