(Particle) Physics with Ultracold and Very Cold Neutrons at the Institut Laue-Langevin

Abstract: Due to their outstanding property to be storable and hence observable for long periods of time (several hundreds of seconds) in suitable material or magnetic traps, ultra-cold neutrons (UCN) with energies around 100 neV are an unique tool to study fundamental properties of the free neutron. A brief introduction to the Institute Laue-Langevin (ILL) in Grenoble, France, which is world leader in academic research with neutrons will be given. The scope of fundamental physics studies with neutrons is outlined. The main instruments provided for such studies are described and some past and current flagship experiments with ultra-cold neutrons (UCN) in this field (beta-decay lifetime, electric dipole moment, quantum states) are highlighted. A brief outlook on future projects is given.