Electric field imaging using polarized neutrons

We experimentally demonstrate that electrically neutral particles, neutrons, can be used to directly visualize the electrostatic field inside a target volume that can be isolated or occupied. Electric-field images were obtained using a polychromatic, spin-polarized neutron beam with a sensitive polarimetry scheme. This work may enable new diagnostic power of the structure of electric potential, electric polarization, charge distribution, and dielectric constant by imaging spatially dependent electric fields in objects that cannot be accessed by other conventional probes.