A direct measurement of the neutron-neutron scattering length

A direct measurement of nn-scattering by colliding free neutrons has never been performed. Indirect measurements continue to provide inconsistent results, leaving the issue of charge symmetry in the nuclear force unresolved. At present the Russian pulsed reactor YAGUAR is the best neutron source for such a measurement. A neutron moderator is installed in the central through channel and the scattered neutrons are detected at a distance of 12 m from the reactor. An instantaneous value of 1.1 × 10(18)/cm²s was obtained for the thermal neutron flux density. The experiment will be performed by the DIANNA Collaboration as ISTC project No. 2286.