Abstract
Polarized 3He can be used as a spin filter to polarize a broad energy spectrum of neutrons. As a prototype for use on the single-crystal diffractometer (SCD) at the spallation neutron source (SNS), we have built a compact system to continuously polarize a 3He spin filter by spin-exchange optical pumping. Polarizing in the neutron beam provides a constant neutron polarization and reduces the sensitivity to relaxation mechanisms. The capability to operate in the presence of non-optimal magnetic field homogeneity allowed us to employ a highly compact solenoid only 9.5 cm in diameter and 20 cm long. Using only 7 W of laser light we maintained 44% 3He polarization in an 11cm3 cell, despite an overall cell relaxation time of ≈10h. Results from a test on the SCD at IPNS are discussed. Published by Elsevier B.V.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 86-90 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | Physica B: Physics of Condensed Matter |
| Volume | 356 |
| Issue number | 1-4 SPEC. ISS. |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Feb 15 2005 |
Funding
This work was supported in part by the Department of Energy, Basic Energy Sciences, Materials Sciences, under Contract No. W-31-109-ENG-38 and DE-FG02-03ER46093.
Keywords
- Diffraction
- Helium
- Neutron
- Optical pumping
- Polarization
- Spin filter