Large Solid Angle Research Articles

SENJU, Extreme Environment Single Crystal Neutron Diffractometer at J-PARC

SENJU, a TOF-Laue single crystal neutron diffractometer at the BL18 of MLF/J-PARC, was designed for precise crystal and magnetic structure analyses under multiple extreme environments such as low-temperature, high-pressure and high-magnetic field, and also capable of taking diffraction measurements of small single crystals, less than 1.0 mm3 in volume [1]. Just after the launch of SENJU in March 2012, we newly installed and/or upgraded some sample environment devices. SENJU has a vacuum sample chamber and 37 two-dimensional scintillation detectors. Wavelength of incident neutron is 0.3 - 4.4 Å for the 1st frame and 4.6 - 8.8 Å for the 2nd frame. Because the short wavelength neutron is available and the sample position is covered by large solid angle of the detectors, wide reciprocal space within 30 Å-1 can be measured simultaneously by one measurement. As sample environment devices, 4K cryostat with 2-axes goniometer, longitudinal magnet, high-pressure cell, high temperature furnace and other devices are available or in commissioning. The most popular sample environment device on SENJU is the 4 K cryostat with a fixed-chi type 2-axes goniometer. We adopted piezo-rotators to rotate the sample crystal under vacuumed and cryo conditions. The 2-axes goniometer works stably even at 4 K and the time for cooling was 4.5 hours. A longitudinal magnet was recently installed on SENJU. The lowest temperature was 1.42 K and the maximum magnetic field was 6.85 T. A test diffraction measurement of a CeCoGe3 single crystal (1.5 x 1.5 x 3.0 mm) under 1.5 K and 0.5 T showed that Bragg reflections from the sample was clearly observed and the Bragg peaks of the sample crystal were much higher than the peaks from the magnet itself as shown in the figure. In this presentation, we will show the current status of sample environment devices for SENJU such as cryostat, magnet and other devices.

BioDiff - a neutron diffractometer for protein crystallography

The research reactor Heinz Maier-Leibnitz (FRM II) is a modern high flux neutron source which feeds some 30 state of the art neutron beam instruments. Currently 24 are operational, others in commissioning or under construction. The newly built neutron single crystal diffractometer BIODIFF is especially designed to collect data from crystals with large unit cells. The main field of application is the structural analysis of proteins, especially the determination of hydrogen atom positions. BIODIFF is a joint project of the Jülich Centre for Neutron Science (JCNS) and the FRM II. Typical scientific questions addressed are the determination of protonation states of amino acid side chains (see e. g. [1,2]) and the characterization of the hydrogen bonding network between the protein active centre and an inhibitor or substrate. BIODIFF is designed as a monochromatic instrument. By using a highly orientated pyrolytic graphite monochromator (PG002) the diffractometer is able to operate in the wavelength range of 2.4 Å to about 5.6 Å. Contaminations of higher order wavelengths are removed by a neutron velocity selector. To cover a large solid angle the main detector of BIODIFF consists of a neutron imaging plate in a cylindrical geometry with online read-out capability. A fast Li/ZnS scintillator CCD camera is available for additional detection abilities. An optical CCD-camera pointing at the sample position is used to quickly align the crystal with respect to the neutron beam. The main advantage of BIODIFF is the possibility to adapt the wavelength to the size of the unit cell of the sample crystal while operating with a clean monochromatic beam that keeps the background level low. BIODIFF is equipped with a standard Oxford Cryosystem "Cryostream 700+" which allows measurements in the temperature regime from 90 K up to 500 K (see Figure underneath).

Development and demonstration of in-situ SEOP 3He spin filter system for neutron spin analyzer on the SHARAKU polarized neutron reflectometer at J-PARC

A new neutron reflectometer, SHARAKU, with a vertical sample-plane geometry was installed at beam line 17 at J-PARC Materials and Life Science Facility. Although a polarizing supermirror was previously installed as a neutron spin analyzer on SHARAKU, a 3He spin filter is advantageous because it can cover a large solid angle. An in-situ SEOP 3He spin filter system using a new compact laser unit has been developed for the analyzer. In this paper, we report a successful off-specular measurement with the new compact in-situ SEOP analyzer at SHARAKU.

DigiPET: sub-millimeter spatial resolution small-animal PET imaging using thin monolithic scintillators

A new preclinical PET system based on dSiPMs, called DigiPET, is presented. The system is based on thin monolithic scintillation crystals and exhibits superior spatial resolution at low-cost compared to systems based on pixelated crystals. Current dedicated small-rodent PET scanners have a spatial resolution in the order of 1 mm. Most of them have a large footprint, requiring considerable laboratory space. For rodent brain imaging, a PET scanner with sub-millimeter resolution is desired. To achieve this, crystals with a pixel pitch down to 0.5 mm have been used. However, fine pixels are difficult to produce and will render systems expensive. In this work, we present the first results with a high-resolution preclinical PET scanner based on thin monolithic scintillators and a large solid angle. The design is dedicated to rat-brain imaging and therefore has a very compact geometry. Four detectors were placed in a square arrangement with a distance of 34.5 mm between two opposing detector modules, defining a field of view (FOV) of 32 × 32 × 32 mm3. Each detector consists of a thin monolithic LYSO crystal of 32 × 32 × 2 mm3 optically coupled to a digital silicon photomultiplier (dSiPM). Event positioning within each detector was obtained using the maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) method. To evaluate the system performance, we measured the energy resolution, coincidence resolving time (CRT), sensitivity and spatial resolution. The image quality was evaluated by acquiring a hot-rod phantom filled with 18F-FDG and a rat head one hour after an 18F-FDG injection. The MLE yielded an average intrinsic spatial resolution on the detector of 0.54 mm FWHM. We obtained a CRT of 680 ps and an energy resolution of 18% FWHM at 511 keV. The sensitivity and spatial resolution obtained at the center of the FOV were 6.0 cps kBq−1 and 0.7 mm, respectively. In the reconstructed images of the hot-rod phantom, hot rods down to 0.7 mm can be discriminated. In conclusion, a compact PET scanner was built using dSiPM technology and thin monolithic LYSO crystals. Excellent spatial resolution and acceptable sensitivity were demonstrated. Promising results were also obtained in a hot-rod phantom and in rat-brain imaging.

Concept for a time-of-flight Small Angle Neutron Scattering instrument at the European Spallation Source

A new Small Angle Neutron Scattering instrument is proposed for the European Spallation Source. The pulsed source requires a time-of-flight analysis of the gathered neutrons at the detector. The optimal instrument length is found to be rather large, which allows for a polarizer and a versatile collimation. The polarizer allows for studying magnetic samples and incoherent background subtraction. The wide collimation will host VSANS and SESANS options that increase the resolution of the instrument towards µm and tens of µm, respectively. Two 1m2 area detectors will cover a large solid angle simultaneously. The expected gains for this new instrument will lie in the range between 20 and 36, depending on the assessment criteria, when compared to up-to-date reactor based instruments. This will open new perspectives for fast kinetics, weakly scattering samples, and multi-dimensional contrast variation studies.

Origin and nature of measurement bias in catadioptric parallel goniophotometers.

We briefly categorize and compare parallel goniophotometers, which are instruments capable of simultaneously measuring the far-field distribution of light scattered by a surface or emitted by a source over a large solid angle. Little is known about the accuracy and reliability of an appealing category, the catadioptric parallel goniophotometers (CPGs), which exploit a curved reflector and a lens system. We analyzed the working principle common to all the different design configurations of a CPG and established the specifications implicitly imposed on the lens system. Based on heuristic considerations, we show that the properties of a real (thick) lens system are not fully compatible with these specifications. This causes a bias to the measurements that increases with the acceptance angle of the lens system. Depending on the angular field, the measured sample area can be drastically reduced and shifted relative to the center of the sample. To gain insights into the nature and importance of the measurement bias, it was calculated with our model implemented in MATLAB for the CPG configuration incorporating a lens system with a very large acceptance angle (fisheye lens). Our results demonstrate that, due to the spatio-angular-filtering properties of the fisheye lens, this category of CPGs is so severely biased as to give unusable measurements. In addition, our findings raise the question of the importance of the bias in the other types of CPGs that rely on a lens system with a lower acceptance angle.

Noble gas excimer scintillation following neutron capture in boron thin films

Far-ultraviolet scintillation signals have been measured in heavy noble gases (argon, krypton, xenon) following boron-neutron capture (10B(n,α)7Li) in 10B thin films. The observed scintillation yields are comparable to the yields from some liquid and solid neutron scintillators. At noble gas pressures of 107 kPa, the number of photons produced per neutron absorbed following irradiation of a 1200 nm thick 10B film was 14 000 for xenon, 11 000 for krypton, and 6000 for argon. The absolute scintillation yields from the experimental configuration were calculated using data from (1) experimental irradiations, (2) thin-film characterizations, (3) photomultiplier tube calibrations, and (4) photon collection modeling. Both the boron films and the photomultiplier tube were characterized at the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Monte Carlo modeling of the reaction cell provided estimates of the photon collection efficiency and the transport behavior of 10B(n,α)7Li reaction products escaping the thin films. Scintillation yields increased with gas pressure due to increased ionization and excitation densities of the gases from the 10B(n,α)7Li reaction products, increased frequency of three-body, excimer-forming collisions, and reduced photon emission volumes (i.e., larger solid angle) at higher pressures. Yields decreased for thicker 10B thin films due to higher average energy loss of the 10B(n,α)7Li reaction products escaping the films. The relative standard uncertainties in the measurements were determined to lie between 14% and 16%. The observed scintillation signal demonstrates that noble gas excimer scintillation is promising for use in practical neutron detectors.

X-ray Emission Collected in a Novel Energy Dispersive Approach

Novel methods & materials have been used to produce dynamically bent Bragg diffraction analyzer crystals in a modified von Hamos geometry.They are used to collect a wide energy range X-ray emission spectrum over a large solid angle with electron volt resolution. Crystals fabricated from silicon-on-insulator wafers by photolithography and deep reactive ion etching can bend to 10 cm radius without increased lattice strain. The design permits adjustment of energy dispersion for individual analyzers in an array. A multilayer mono, mono-capillary focusing, and multi-crystal spectrometer together collect signals at a bend magnet beamline comparable to those from an undulator. Preliminary measurements validate this new energy dispersive spectrometer.

Quantified, whole section trace element mapping of carbonaceous chondrites by Synchrotron X-ray Fluorescence Microscopy: 1. CV meteorites

We present the application of a new synchrotron-based technique for rapid mapping of trace element distributions across large areas of the CV3 meteorites Allende and Vigarano. This technique utilizes the Australian Synchrotron X-ray Fluorescence Microscopy (XFM) beam line with its custom designed and built X-ray detector array called Maia. XFM with Maia allows data to be collected using a 2μm spot size at very low dwell times (∼0.1–0.5ms), resulting in maps of entire thin sections in ∼5h. Maia is an energy dispersive detector system with a large collection solid-angle, which allows full spectral acquisition and high sensitivity. Hence, there is no need to constrain the elements of interest a priori.We collected whole section maps (∼2cm×1cm) from 3 thick sections of Allende and a single map (2cm×1.5cm) from a thick section of Vigarano. Our experimental conditions provide data for elements with 20⩽Z⩽40 (K-shell, Ca through Zr) and the L-emissions of Os, Ir, Pt, Au, and Pb. We illustrate the unique capabilities of this technique by presenting observations across myriad length scales, from the centimeter-scale down to the detection of sub-micrometer particles within these objects. Our initial results show the potential of this technique to help decipher spatial and textural variations in trace element chemistry between CAIs, chondrules, matrix, and other chondritic components. We also illustrate how these datasets can be applied to understanding both nebular and parent-body processes within meteorites.

Radioactivity measurement of Sr/Y-90 mixed with Cs-134 and Cs-137 using large solid angle detectors without chemical separation

We proposed a method to measure the radioactivity of Sr/Y-90 in the mixture of Cs-134 and Cs-137 without chemical pretreatment. It was realized by subtracting the electrons produced in Cs-134 and Cs-137 from entire electron emission rate that can be determined by the efficiency tracer technique in the 4πβ–γ coincidence counting method. The radioactivity of Cs-134 and Cs-137 can be determined by gamma ray spectrometry. The measurements were conducted using plastic and NaI(Tl) scintillation detector with a large solid angle. The validity of the measurement method was shown by agreement of the results with the known radioactivities.

Speciation mapping of environmental samples using XANES imaging

Environmental context Recently developed fast fluorescence detectors have opened the way to the development of element speciation mapping, i.e. X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy (XANES) imaging, of environmental samples. This technique is potentially very informative but is also highly data intensive. Here, we used XANES imaging to explore the distribution of Cu species in biosolid materials, destined for agricultural use, as this is of importance in relation to the bioavailability and potential toxicity of this metal. Abstract Fast X-ray detectors with large solid angles and high dynamic ranges open the door to XANES imaging, in which millions of spectra are collected to image the speciation of metals at micrometre resolution, over areas up to several square centimetres. This paper explores how such multispectral datasets can be analysed in order to provide further insights into the distribution of Cu species in fresh and stockpiled biosolids. The approach demonstrated uses Principal Components Analysis to extract the ‘significant’ spectral information from the XANES maps, followed by cluster analysis to locate regions of contrasting spectral signatures. Following this model-free analysis, pixel-by-pixel linear combination fits are used to provide a direct link between bulk and imaging XANES spectroscopy. The results indicate that both the speciation and distribution of Cu species are significantly affected by ageing. The majority of heterogeneously distributed micrometre-sized Cu sulfide particles present in fresh biosolids disappear during the oxidative stockpiling process. In aged biosolids most of the Cu is homogeneously redistributed on organic matter suggesting that Cu mobility is temporarily increased during this redistribution process. This manuscript demonstrates how large XANES imaging datasets could be analysed and used to gain a deep understanding of metal speciation in environmental samples.

A compact Ge-BGO coincidence array for ultra-sensitive in-beam gamma spectroscopy

Ultra-weak resonances in nuclear reactions impose a challenge on experimentalists. The present work describes the setup used in the first direct measurement of extremely weak low energy resonances of the 18O(α, γ)22Ne reaction. A Clover HPGe detector in coincidence with specified energy windows in BGO counters covering a large solid angle, and combined with large plastic veto counters led to a significantly improved sensitivity, thus allowing for the clear identification of specific γ-transitions. Different modes of operation have been tested for optimizing the final experimental setup.

Energy, momentum and mass outflows and feedback from thick accretion discs around rotating black holes

Using long-duration general relativistic magnetohydrodynamic simulations of radiatively inefficient accretion discs, the energy, momentum and mass outflow rates from such systems are estimated. Outflows occur via two fairly distinct modes: a relativistic jet and a sub-relativistic wind. The jet power depends strongly on the black hole spin and on the magnetic flux at the horizon. Unless these are very small, the energy output in the jet dominates over that in the wind. For a rapidly spinning black hole accreting in the magnetically arrested limit, it is confirmed that jet power exceeds the total rate of accretion of rest mass energy. However, because of strong collimation, the jet probably does not have a significant feedback effect on its immediate surroundings. The power in the wind is more modest and shows a weaker dependence on black hole spin and magnetic flux. Nevertheless, because the wind subtends a large solid angle, it is expected to provide efficient feedback on a wide range of scales inside the host galaxy. Empirical formulae are obtained for the energy and momentum outflow rates in the jet and the wind.

Fluence measurement of fast neutron fields with a highly efficient recoil proton telescope using active pixel sensors

The spectrometer ATHENA (Accurate Telescope for High-Energy Neutron metrology Applications) is being developed at the LNE-IRSN and aims at characterising energy and fluence of fast neutron fields. The detector is a recoil proton telescope and measures neutron fields in the range of 5-20 MeV. This telescope is intended to become a primary standard for both energy and fluence measurements. The neutron detection is achieved by a polyethylene radiator for n-p conversion, three 50-µm-thick silicon sensors that use CMOS technology for proton tracking and a 3-mm-thick silicon diode to measure the residual proton energy. The use of CMOS sensors and silicon diode, owing to a large detection solid angle, increases the intrinsic efficiency of the detector by a factor of 10 compared with conventional designs. The ability of the spectrometer to determine the neutron energy was demonstrated and reported elsewhere. This paper focuses on the fluence measurement of monoenergetic neutron fields in the range of 5-20 MeV. Experimental investigations, performed at the AMANDE facility, indicate a good estimation of neutron fluence at various energies. In addition, a complete description of uncertainties budget is presented in this paper and a Monte Carlo propagation of uncertainty sources leads to a fluence measurement with a precision ∼3-5 % depending on the neutron energy.

Vacuum Ultraviolet and Soft X‐ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy of Liquid Beams Using a Hemispherical Photoelectron Spectrometer with a Multistage Differential Pumping System

AbstractWe present photoelectron spectroscopy of liquid beams using a high‐resolution hemispherical photoelectron spectrometer with a multistage differential pumping system developed in our laboratory. Intense soft X‐ray synchrotron radiation (500‐1200 eV) at SPring‐8 and a relatively large detection solid angle (1.5 × 10−2 π sr) of the spectrometer enable highly efficient measurements of X‐ray photoelectron spectra of liquids. Vacuum ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy using the same spectrometer provides sufficiently high spectral resolution to resolve rotational isomers of gas‐phase molecules.

Longitudinal gas-density profilometry for plasma-wakefield acceleration targets

Precise tailoring of plasma-density profiles has been identified as one of the critical points in achieving stable and reproducible conditions in plasma wakefield accelerators. Here, the strict requirements of next generation plasma-wakefield concepts, such as hybrid-accelerators, with densities around 1017cm−3 pose challenges to target fabrication as well as to their reliable diagnosis. To mitigate these issues we combine target simulation with fabrication and characterization. The resulting density profiles in capillaries with gas jet and multiple in- and outlets are simulated with the fluid code OpenFOAM. Satisfactory simulation results then are followed by fabrication of the desired target shapes with structures down to the 10µm level. The detection of Raman scattered photons using lenses with large collection solid angle allows to measure the corresponding longitudinal density profiles at different number densities and allows a detection sensitivity down to the low 1017cm−3 density range at high spatial resolution. This offers the possibility to gain insight into steep density gradients as for example in gas jets and at the plasma-to-vacuum transition.

Compton Thick AGN

AbstractCompton thick active galactic nuclei (AGN), which are obscured by column density NH > 1.5 × 104 cm−2, can be difficult to identify. They are certainly cosmically significant, both in producing the observed cosmic X-ray background, and in providing a location where black hole growth is hidden from view. Here I review some recent results from surveys that provide indications of Compton thick AGN, considering X-ray, radio, and infrared selection techniques. I also offer a caution against using mid-infrared silicate features to measure line-of-sight obscuration to active galactic nuclei. Instead, these features better indicate the geometric distribution of dust that the central engine heats. I conclude that the outstanding problem of Compton thick AGN is not the cases where the obscuration is directly associated with the environment of the active nucleus itself, even in the most obscured examples. Instead, we still risk missing the completely buried AGN, which are obscured by large amounts of gas and dust over large solid angles. The solution to finding Compton thick AGN may be to begin the search based on infrared emission and star formation, and then select for nuclear activity.

A transverse electron target for the investigation of electron–ion interaction processes

For the investigation of electron–ion interaction processes, a new transverse electron target is under development. It opens the perspective to new types of experiments with ions by applying the ‘crossed beam’ technique for free electrons to a storage ring. The new target is suited for the UHV requirements of a storage ring and realizes an open geometry giving access to the interaction region for photon and electron spectroscopy under large solid angles. It is based on a simple design using only electrostatic fields for the focus of the sheet beam. The adjustable electron energy ranges between several tens of eV and a few keV. The electron target is dedicated to the storage rings of the Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research. First measurements are planned at a test bench, and subsequent tests at the Frankfurt Low Energy Storage Ring are envisaged.

Generalization of the classical xyz-polarization analysis technique to out-of-plane and inelastic scattering

The technique of longitudinal ("xyz") polarization analysis has been used successfully for many years to study disordered magnetic materials in thermal and cold neutron diffraction experiments. The technique allows the simultaneous and unambiguous separation of the nuclear, magnetic, and nuclear spin-incoherent contributions to the scattering. The technical advances seen in recent years, such as the availability of polarized (3)He analyzer cells to cover a large detector solid angle, the ability to detect out-of-plane scattering in a multi-detector, and a significant increase of the usable beam divergence, call for a generalization of the method. A general treatment of the formalism for carrying out neutron polarization analysis will be given in this paper, which describes a possible method of usage at a future, modern diffractometer or inelastic spectrometer with large area multi-detector coverage.

Superconducting curved transport solenoid with dipole coils for charge selection of the muon beam

At the J-PARC Muon Science Facility (MUSE) the Super-Omega muon beamline is now under construction in the experimental hall No. 2 of the Materials and Life Science Facility building. Muons up to 45MeV/c will be extracted with a large acceptance solid angle to produce the world highest intensity pulsed muon beam. This beamline comprises three parts, a normal-conducting capture solenoid, a superconducting curved transport solenoid and an axial focusing solenoid. Since only solenoids are used, both surface μ+ and cloud μ− are extracted simultaneously. To accommodate future experiments that would only require either μ+ or μ− beam, two dipole coils located on the straight section of the curved solenoid provide the muon charge selection by directing one of the beam onto the solenoid inner-wall. The design parameters, the construction status and the initial beam commissioning are reported.