Adapting a triple-axis spectrometer for small angle neutron scattering measurements

Mu Ping Nieh, Zahra Yamani, Norbert Kučerka, John Katsaras, Darcy Burgess, Hugo Breton

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

Small angle neutron scattering (SANS) instruments typically cover a q (scattering vector) range from 0.001 to 0.6 Å-1. This range in q is achieved through a combination of cold neutrons (λ4 Å) and a highly collimated beam. However, as a direct result of the unavailability of a cold source at the Canadian Neutron Beam Centre (CNBC), we have resorted to adapting a triple-axis spectrometer to perform SANS measurements. This is achieved through the use of multiple converging incident beams which enhance the neutron flux on the sample by a factor of 20, compared to a single beam of the same spot size. Furthermore, smearing effects due to vertical divergence from the slit geometry are reduced through the use of horizontal Soller collimators. As a result, this modified triple-axis spectrometer enables SANS measurements to a minimum q value (qmin) of ∼0.006 Å-1. Data obtained from the modified triple-axis spectrometer are in good agreement with those data from the 30 m NG3-SANS instrument located at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (Gaithersburg, MD, USA).

Original languageEnglish
Article number095102
JournalReview of Scientific Instruments
Volume79
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - 2008
Externally publishedYes

Funding

This work utilized facilities supported in part by the National Science Foundation under Agreement No. DMR-9986442. M.-P. N. would like to thank Dr. John Barker, Dr. Charles Glinka, and Dr. Boualem Hammouda (NIST) for the helpful discussions.

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