Planning of Energy-Selective Neutron Imaging Instrument at CSNS and its Application Prospect in Materials Science

Abstract

In order to serve a growing multidisciplinary community beyond the traditional scattering areas, an energy-selective neutron imaging instrument is proposed in the China Spallation Neutron Source (CSNS). The instrument is planned to provide analytical techniques such as state-of-the-art energy-selective neutron imaging, neutron radiography, tomography, polarized neutron imaging, neutron phase contrast imaging, and combined neutron diffraction. Coupled hydrogen moderator (CHM) will be chosen as its neutron source. A flight path of 40 m from moderator to sample will provide good energy resolution better than ~0.4%. Super mirror neutron guide will be used to transport neutron from moderator to aperture selector. Aperture selector with 5 apertures and a set of slits will be used to adjust the neutron beam for different modalities. The best spatial resolution will be 50 μm. Different types of detectors will be needed including high spatial resolution CCD camera, TOF detector, and scintillator detector. With a main emphasis on advanced materials and engineering studies, the instrument will enable 2D/3D mapping of the microstructure, chemical composition, and crystallographic structure (grain size, stress and strain, phase position, texture, and so on). It will also support a broad range of studies in archaeology, biology, biomedicine, geosciences, building technology, manufacturing processes, forensic, and homeland security applications.