This project explored the development of high-performance neutron optical multilayers based on isotope-enriched ¹¹B₄C for use in neutron mirrors and supermirrors. Through ion-assisted magnetron sputtering and co-deposition techniques, the research achieved smoother and more abrupt interfaces, which are crucial for enhancing neutron reflectivity.
A combination of neutron reflectometry, X-ray reflectivity, transmission electron microscopy, and grazing incidence small-angle scattering (GISAXS) was used to characterize interface structure, roughness, and morphology. The incorporation of ¹¹B₄C led to significant improvements in interface sharpness—down to 2.7 Å—and enabled a predicted reflectivity increase of over 500% compared with conventional Ni/Ti multilayers.
By demonstrating isotope-engineered ¹¹B/¹⁰B interference mirrors and hybrid multilayer designs, the research opened new directions for next-generation neutron optics, contributing to more efficient and precise neutron scattering instrumentation.