Structured wave generator and device for diffracting a neutron beam into a structured wave

Abstract

There is described a structured wave generator generally having a neutron source generating a neutron beam having a propagation axis and a lateral coherence length extending perpendicular to the propagation axis; and a substrate spaced-apart from the neutron source, the substrate having an array of phase gratings distributed on the substrate for receiving the neutron beam, each phase grating having a body made of a grating material and having a holographic profile, the holographic profile having an in-plane dimension being equal or smaller than the lateral coherence length of the neutron beam, wherein when the neutron beam interacts with the array of phase gratings, at least a portion of the neutron beam diffracts to form a structured wave.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.