NMR Investigation of the iron-based superconductors Ca4(Mg,Ti)3Fe2As2O8-y and Ca5(Sc,Ti)4Fe2As2O11-y

$^{75}$As and $^{45}$Sc NMR measurements unravel the electronic state for Fe-based superconductors with perovskite-type blocking layers Ca$_4$(Mg,Ti)$_3$Fe$_2$As$_2$O$_{8-y}$ ($T_c^{onset}=47$ K) and Ca$_5$(Sc,Ti)$_4$Fe$_2$As$_2$O$_{11-y}$ ($T_c^{onset}=41$ K). In Ca$_5$(Sc,Ti)$_4$Fe$_2$As$_2$O$_{11-y}$, the nuclear spin relaxation rate $1/T_1$ shows pseudogap behavior below $sim80$ K, suggesting that the electronic state is similar to that of LaFeAs(O,F) system with moderate electron doping. The presence of the pseudogap behavior gives an interpretation that the hole-like band (so-called $gamma$ pocket) is located just below the Fermi level from the analogy to LaFeAs(O,F) system and the disappearance of the $gamma$ pocket yields the suppression of the low-energy spin fluctuations. On the other hand, in Ca$_4$(Mg,Ti)$_3$Fe$_2$As$_2$O$_{8-y}$ satisfying the structural optimal condition for higher $T_c$ among the perovskite systems, the extrinsic contribution, which presumably originates in the Ti moment, is observed in $1/T_1T$; however, the moderate temperature dependence of $1/T_1T$ appears by its suppression under high magnetic field. In both systems, the high $T_c$ of $sim40$ K is realized in the absence of the strong development of the low-energy spin fluctuations. The present results reveal that the structural optimization does not induce the strong development of the low-energy spin fluctuations. If we consider that superconductivity is mediated by spin fluctuations, the structural optimization is conjectured to provide a benefit to the development of the high-energy spin fluctuations irrespective to the low-energy part.

Three-port beam splitter for slow neutrons using holographic nanoparticle-polymer composite diffraction gratings

Diffraction of slow neutrons by nanoparticle-polymer composite gratings has been observed. By carefully choosing grating parameters such as grating thickness and spacing, a three-port beam splitter operation for cold neutrons - splitting the incident neutron intensity equally into the plus-minus first and zeroth diffraction orders - was realized. As a possible application, a Zernike three-path interferometer is briefly discussed.

Mirrors for slow neutrons from holographic nanoparticle-polymer free-standing film-gratings

We report on successful tests of holographically arranged grating-structures in nanoparticle-polymer composites in the form of 100 microns thin free-standing films, i.e. without sample containers or covers that could cause unwanted absorption/incoherent scattering of very-cold neutrons. Despite their large diameter of 2 cm, the flexible materials are of high optical quality and yield mirror-like reflectivity of about 90% for neutrons of 4.1 nm wavelength.

Diffraction of slow neutrons by holographic SiO_2 nanoparticle-polymer composite gratings

Diffraction experiments with holographic gratings recorded in SiO$_2$ nanoparticle-polymer composites have been carried out with slow neutrons. The influence of parameters such as nanoparticle concentration, grating thickness and grating spacing on the neutron-optical properties of such materials has been tested. Decay of the grating structure along the sample depth due to disturbance of the recording process becomes an issue at grating thicknesses of about 100 microns and larger. This limits the achievable diffraction efficiency for neutrons. As a solution to this problem, the Pendell{o}sung interference effect in holographic gratings has been exploited to reach a diffraction efficiency of 83% for very cold neutrons.