The HANARO neutron reflectometer with horizontal sample geometry; engineering designs and performance simulation

A new neutron reflectometer with a horizontal sample geometry was designed and is now under construction at the HANARO, 30 MW research reactor. It was originally built and operated at the H9-A beam port at BNL, and was relocated to HANARO in 2004. We performed simulations of neutron ray-tracing to evaluate the performance of all of the optical components of the instrument with a Monte Carlo technique using McStas code. The feasible wavelength of the incident neutron beam is 2.52 Å. It produces a q-range up to 0.126 Å^− 1 with a supermirror as a deflector. Our studies indicated possibilities to improve the performance of the guide tube. Although the performance is limited (limited q-range and flux due to multiple reflections prior to the deflector), it promises to be the first reflectometer in Korea for the study of free surfaces, which is currently in demand.     

Large scales-long times: Adding high energy resolution to SANS

The Neutron Spin Echo (NSE) variant MIEZE (Modulation of IntEnsity by Zero Effort), where all beam manipulations are performed before the sample position, offers the possibility to perform low background SANS measurements in strong magnetic fields and depolarising samples. However, MIEZE is sensitive to differences ΔL in the length of neutron flight paths through the instrument and the sample. In this article, we discuss the major influence of ΔL on contrast reduction of MIEZE measurements and its minimisation. Finally we present a design case for enhancing a small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) instrument at the planned European Spallation Source (ESS) in Lund, Sweden, using a combination of MIEZE and other TOF options, such as TISANE offering time windows from ns to minutes. The proposed instrument would allow obtaining an excellent energy- and Q-resolution straightforward to μs for 0.01 Å⁻¹, even in magnetic fields, depolarising samples as they occur in soft matter and magnetism while keeping the instrumental effort and costs low.     

Neutron diffraction measurements at the INES diffractometer using a neutron radiative capture based counting technique

The global shortage of ³He gas is an issue to be addressed in neutron detection. In the context of the research and development activity related to the replacement of ³He for neutron counting systems, neutron diffraction measurements performed on the INES beam line at the ISIS pulsed spallation neutron source are presented. For these measurements two different neutron counting devices have been used: a 20 bar pressure squashed ³He tube and a Yttrium-Aluminum-Perovskite scintillation detector. The scintillation detector was coupled to a cadmium sheet that registers the prompt radiative capture gamma rays generated by the (n,γ) nuclear reactions occurring in cadmium. The assessment of the scintillator based counting system was done by performing a Rietveld refinement analysis on the diffraction pattern from an ancient Japanese blade and comparing the results with those obtained by a ³He tube placed at the same angular position. The results obtained demonstrate the considerable potential of the proposed counting approach based on the radiative capture gamma rays at spallation neutron sources.     

Development of neutron radiography facility for boiling two-phase flow experiment in Kyoto University Research Reactor

To visualize boiling two-phase flow at high heat flux by using neutron radiography, a new neutron radiography facility was developed in the B-4 beam hole of KUR. The B-4 beam hole is equipped with a supermirror neutron guide tube with a characteristic wavelength of 1.2 Å, whose geometrical parameters of the guide tube are: 11.7 m total length and 10 mm wide ×74 mm high beam cross-section. The total neutron flux obtained from the KUR supermirror guide tube is about 5×10⁷ n/cm² s with a nominal thermal output of 5 MW of KUR, which is about 100 times what is obtainable with the conventional KUR neutron radiography facility (E-2 beam hole). In this study a new imaging device, an electric power supply (1200 A, 20 V), and a thermal hydraulic loop were installed. The neutron source, the beam tube, and the radiography rooms are described in detail and the preliminary images obtained at the developed facility are shown.     

Excitations in liquid4He beyond the roton

The dynamic structure factor S(Q,E) for liquid⁴He at saturated vapor pressure has been measured by inelastic neutron scattering for wave vectors Q between 1.9 and 2.8 Å^–1. The temperature dependence is studied for Q=2.3 Å^–1. The sharp phonon-roton peak gradually disappears with increasing temperature, while the scattering at higher energies is nearly temperature independent. The experimental results are compared with the density-quasiparticle interpretation introduced by Glyde and Griffin, and with a model describing the hybridization with the multiparticle excitations.     

Scatter rejection in quantitative thermal and cold neutron imaging

The accuracy of quantitative neutron transmission radiography can be substantially decreased if highly scattering materials, such as water or plastics, exist in the sample. There are currently two main solutions to this problem: either performing experiments at a large distance between the detector and the sample or employ some numerical correction techniques. In the former case, the spatial resolution is substantially reduced by the limited beam divergence, while the latter correction requires a priori information about the sample and is limited to distances of above ∼2 cm. We demonstrate the feasibility of another technique, namely the possibility to remove the scattered neutron component from the transmitted neutron beam by a very compact polycapillary collimator. These ∼1 mm thick devices can be placed between the sample and the detector and remove most of the neutrons scattered at angles larger than the acceptance angle of the collimator (typically 1°). No image distortions above ∼10 μm scales are introduced by these collimators. The neutron transmission of highly scattering samples (water and plexiglass) is measured in our experiments with and without scatter rejection. In the latter case, the accuracy of measured transmission coefficient was substantially improved by our collimators.     

Beryllium neutron activation detector for pulsed DD fusion sources

A compact fast neutron detector based on beryllium activation has been developed to perform accurate neutron fluence measurements on pulsed DD fusion sources. It is especially well suited to moderate repetition-rate (<0.2 Hz) devices, such as the plasma focus or Z-pinch. The detector comprises a beryllium metal sheet sandwiched between two large-area xenon-filled proportional counters. A methodology for calculating the absolute response function of the detector using a “first principles” approach is described. This calibration methodology is based on the ⁹Be(n,α)⁶He cross-section, energy calibration of the proportional counters, and numerical simulations of neutron interactions and beta-particle paths using MCNP5. The response function R(E_n) is determined over the neutron energy range 2-4 MeV. The count rate capability of the detector has been studied and the corrections required for high neutron fluence measurements are discussed. For pulsed DD neutron fluencies >3×10⁴ cm⁻², the statistical uncertainty in the fluence measurement is better than 1%. A small plasma focus device has been employed as a pulsed neutron source to test two of these new detectors, and their responses are found to be practically identical. Also the level of interfering activation is found to be sufficiently low as to be negligible.     

Pressure Dependence of the Multiphonon Excitations of Superfluid 4He

The pressure dependence of the multiphonon excitations in superfluid ⁴He has been studied, using neutron inelastic scattering. High-resolution measurements have been made at 0,5 K over a wavevector range 0.6<Q<2.2 Å^–1, at various pressures between 0 and 20 bars. The experimental data are presented and existing theoretical calculations are discussed.     

Evaluation of large deuterated scintillators for fast neutron detection (E=0.5-20 MeV) using the D(d,n)He, C(d,n) and Al(d,n) reactions

The response of large deuterated liquid scintillators (up to 10 cm diameter by 15 cm) to neutrons 0.5-20 MeV has been studied using the 2.5 MeV neutron generator at the University of Michigan, and the d(d,n), ¹³C(d,n), ²⁷Al(d,n) and other reactions at the University of Notre Dame FN tandem accelerator. The latter utilize 9 and 16 MeV deuteron beams including a pulsed beam, which permitted time-of-flight measurements. Combining pulse-shape discrimination and time-of-flight allows gating on specific neutron energy groups to determine the detector response to specific neutron energies. This will permit accurate simulation of the detector response functions for applications of these detectors in nuclear research and homeland security applications.     

Hexagonal boron nitride epitaxial layers as neutron detector materials

Micro-strip metal-semiconductor-metal detectors for thermal neutron sensing were fabricated from hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) epilayers synthesized by metal organic chemical vapor deposition. Experimental measurements indicated that the thermal neutron absorption coefficient and length of natural hBN epilayers are about 0.00361 μm⁻¹ and 277 μm, respectively. A continuous irradiation with a thermal neutron beam generated an appreciable current response in hBN detectors, corresponding to an effective conversion efficiency approaching ∼80% for absorbed neutrons. Our results indicate that hBN semiconductors would enable the development of essentially ideal solid-state thermal neutron detectors in which both neutron capture and carrier collection are accomplished in the same hBN semiconductor. These solid-state detectors have the potential to replace ³He gas detectors, which faces the very serious issue of ³He gas shortage.     

Light Scattering by Commercial Sugar Solutions

Using a direct measure of scattered light, it was found that commercial sugar solutions scatter light predominantly in a forward direction. The scattering at angles less than 30° was as much as one hundred times that at right angles to the incident beam.It was found that the light scattering by commercial sugar solutions is inversely dependent on wavelength to a power of between 2 and 3, and that severe multiple scattering occurs when the turbidity of the solution is larger than 2×10⁻¹cm⁻¹ at 436 mµ. The scattering of commercial sugar solutions is compared with that of highly purified sucrose.A method is discussed that will enable a good approximation of the turbidity of commercial sugar solutions to be made from a single forward scattering measurement at an angle of about 20° with respect to the incident light beam. A correction for scattered light in transmission measurements of these solutions is also introduced.     

Experimental and numerical characterization of the neutron field produced in the n@BTF Frascati photo-neutron source

A photo-neutron irradiation facility is going to be established at the Frascati National Laboratories of INFN on the base of the successful results of the n@BTF experiment. The photo-neutron source is obtained by an electron or positron pulsed beam, tuneable in energy, current and in time structure, impinging on an optimized tungsten target located in a polyethylene-lead shielding assembly. The resulting neutron field, through selectable collimated apertures at different angles, is released into a 100 m² irradiation room. The neutron beam, characterized by an evaporation spectrum peaked at about 1 MeV, can be used in nuclear physics, material science, calibration of neutron detectors, studies of neutron hardness, ageing and study of single event effect. The intensity of the neutron beam obtainable with 510 MeV electrons and its fluence energy distribution at a point of reference in the irradiation room were predicted by Monte Carlo simulations and experimentally determined with a Bonner Sphere Spectrometer (BSS). Due to the large photon contribution and the pulsed time structure of the beam, passive photon-insensitive thermal neutron detectors were used as sensitive elements of the BSS. For this purpose, a set of Dy activation foils was used. This paper presents the numerical simulations and the measurements, and compares their results in terms of both neutron spectrum and total neutron fluence.     

Measurements of giant cross sections in low temperature4He-4He scattering

We have studied binary collisions of ground state⁴He atoms at temperatures from 340 mK to 430 mK using an atomic beam apparatus built in a dilution refrigerator. Very large s-wave scattering cross sections between 120Ų–250 Ų have been observed. These are due to the proximity of a dimer state near the continuum of the interaction potential. Results show that the latest potential of Aziz et al. needs modification.     

Neutron scattering from liquid3He at intermediate to large wavevectors

Neutron inelastic scattering experiments have been performed on liquid³He at saturated vapour pressure and T = 1.4 K covering a wide range of energy and momentum transfers (9 Q 20 Å^–1). Allowing for the very strong³He neutron absorption, the data is of excellent quality and it has been analysed to extract information on the scattering function widths, peak positions and single particle kinetic energies. It is found that there are no width oscillations with momentum transfer and that the average atomic kinetic energy is approximately 20% lower than theoretical predictions, in agreement with previous neutron scattering results. A new method of analysis aimed at extracting both the atomic momentum distribution and final state effects is also presented and the results discussed in the light of current theory.     

A multiwire chamber system for measurements of neutron spectra

A new type of detector for measuring neutron flux and energy over a wide range of angles and energies is being developed. Measurements of neutron elastic and inelastic scattering as well as neutron energy continua are possible. Time-of-flight is not used for measuring outgoing neutron energy, and so for continuum measurements this system has some distinct advantages over conventional neutron detectors. Neutron energy measurement is carried out by measuring the energy and angle of the recoil proton produced by the neutron in a CH₂ converter. Spectra from ⁷Li(p, n)⁷Be at 62 MeV and ⁴⁰Ca(n, n′χ) at 65 MeV are presented.     

A new time-of-flight instrument capable of in situ and real-time studies of plasma-treated surfaces

We introduce a new time-of-flight (TOF) instrument that has been constructed to study the dynamics of plasma-surface interactions. The instrument uses a well-defined ion beam at a grazing incidence as a surface probe. Real-space and real-time profiles of scattered particles are created from the output of a position-sensitive detector. The set-up permits the recording of energy and angular distributions of scattered ions and neutrals. Changes in energy and angular distribution as a function of time can be used to monitor real-time and in situ the interaction between plasma and surfaces. The performance of the set-up is tested and illustrative spectra for Ar⁺ scattering from Si (1 0 0) surfaces that were subjected to different pre-treatments are shown.     

Development of a Position Sensitive Neutron Detector with High Efficiency and Energy Resolution for Use at High-Flux Beam Sources

We are developing a high-efficiency neutron detector with 1 cm position resolution and coarse energy resolution for use at high-flux neutron source facilities currently proposed or under construction. The detector concept integrates a segmented ³He ionization chamber with the position sensitive, charged particle collection methods of a MicroMegas detector. Neutron absorption on the helium produces protons and tritons that ionize the fill gas. The charge is amplified in the field region around a wire mesh and subsequently detected in current mode by wire strips mounted on a substrate. One module consisting of a high-voltage plate, a field-shaping high-voltage plate, a grid and wire strips defines a detection region. For 100 % efficiency, detector modules are consecutively placed along the beam axis. Analysis over several regions with alternating wire strip orientation provides a two-dimensional beam profile. By using ³He, a 1/v absorption gas, each axial region captures neutrons of a different energy range, providing an energy-sensitive detection scheme especially useful at continuous beam sources.     

Neutronic design and simulated performance of Peking University Neutron Imaging Facility (PKUNIFTY)

The Peking University Neutron Imaging Facility (PKUNIFTY) is a Radio Frequency Quadruple (RFQ) accelerator based system. The fast neutrons are produced by 2 MeV deuterons bombarding beryllium target. The moderator, reflector, shielding and collimator have been optimized with Monte-Carlo simulation to improve the neutron beam quality. The neutrons are thermalized in water cylinder of Φ26×26 cm² with a polyethylene disk in front of Be target. The size of deuteron beam spot is optimized considering both the thermal neutron distribution and the demand of target cooling. The shielding is a combination of 8 cm thick lead and 42 cm thick boron doped polyethylene. The thermal neutrons are extracted through a rectangular inner collimator and a divergent outer collimator. The thermal neutron beam axis is perpendicular to the D⁺ beam line in order to reduce the fast neutron and the γ ray components in the imaging beam. When the neutron yield is 3×10¹² n/s and the L/D is 50, the thermal neutron flux is 5×10⁵ n/cm²/s at the imaging plane, the Cd ratio is 1.63 and the n/γ ratio is 1.6×10¹⁰ n/cm²/Sv.     

A CdTe detector with a Gd converter for thermal neutron detection

A CdTe detector with a Gd converter has been developed and investigated as a neutron detector for neutron imaging. The fabricated Gd/CdTe detector with the 25 μm thick Gd was designed on the basis of simulation results of thermal neutron detection efficiency and spatial resolution. The energy resolution of the Gd/CdTe detector is less than 4 keV, which is enough to discriminate neutron capture gamma rays from background gamma emission. The Gd/CdTe detector shows the detection of neutron capture gamma ray emission in the ¹⁵⁵Gd(n, γ)¹⁵⁶Gd, ¹⁵⁷Gd(n, γ)¹⁵⁸Gd and ¹¹³Cd(n, γ)¹¹⁴Cd reactions and characteristic X-ray emissions due to conversion-electrons generated inside the Gd film. The observed efficient thermal neutron detection with the Gd/CdTe detector shows its promise in neutron radiography application.     

Enhanced variant designs and characteristics of the microstructured solid-state neutron detector

Silicon diodes with large aspect ratio perforated microstructures backfilled with ⁶LiF show a dramatic increase in neutron detection efficiency beyond that of conventional thin-film coated planar devices. Described in this work are advancements in the technology with increased microstructure depths and detector stacking methods to increase thermal neutron detection efficiency. The highest efficiency devices thus far have delivered over 37% intrinsic thermal neutron detection efficiency by device-coupling stacking methods. The detectors operate as conformally diffused pn junction diodes with 1 cm² square-area. Two individual devices were mounted back-to-back with counting electronics coupling the detectors together into a single dual-detector device. The solid-state silicon device operated at 3 V and utilized simple signal amplification and counting electronic components. The intrinsic detection efficiency for normal-incident 0.0253 eV neutrons was found by calibrating against a ³He proportional counter and a ⁶LiF thin-film planar semiconductor device. This work is a part of on-going research to develop solid-state semiconductor neutron detectors with high detection efficiencies and uniform angular responses.