Theoretical Analysis of Antineutron-Nucleus Data needed for Antineutron Mirrors in Neutron-Antineutron Oscillation Experiments

International audienceThe values of the antineutron-nucleus scattering lengths, and, in particular, their imaginary parts, are needed to evaluate the feasibility of using neutron mirrors in laboratory experiments to search for neutron-antineutron oscillations. We analyze existing experimental and theoretical constraints on these values with emphasis on low-A nuclei and use the results to suggest materials for the neutron-antineutron guide and to evaluate the systematic uncertainties in estimating the neutron-antineutron oscillation time. As an example, we discuss a scenario for a future neutron-antineutron oscillation experiment proposed for the European Spallation Source. We also suggest future experiments which can provide a better determination of the values of antineutron-nuclei scattering lengths