Theoretical Study of Neutron Reflection from Thin Films and Layered Nanostructures Containing Highly Absorbing Gadolinium and Boron Isotopes

Abstract

The application of the method of phase-amplitude functions to the calculation of neutron propagation processes in layered media containing highly absorbing elements is described. This method allows us to simultaneously calculate the reflection, transmission and absorption coefficients of neutrons. It requires less computing resources than the other algorithms. A generalization of the method to matrix equations used in polarized neutron reflectometry is also presented. Examples of calculations of various characteristics of neutron propagation for layered resonator-type systems with a potential well are given.