Larmor labeling development

Abstract

The first applications of polarized neutrons were to distinguish magnetic from nuclear scattering amplitudes. Much later the first set-ups for measuring the precession phase of the polarization passing a magnetic field were realized. This phase, determined by the field strength and interaction time, could label magnetic fields, wavelength of the neutrons and length over which the field is present. The latter could be used by proper shaping of the magnetic field to label also the direction of transmitted neutrons. The advantage of this labeling is that high precision measurements are possible without strong confinement of the beam by diaphragms. An overview of the use of Larmor labeling of polarized neutrons is given for applications in magnetism, in inelastic neutron scattering and small angle scattering.