Neutron Beam Research Articles

Investigating neutron scattering in a Spherical Proportional Counter: A tabletop experiment

In this paper, we report on a tabletop experiment studying neutron scattering in a Spherical Proportional Counter using an Am-Be source. Systematic studies were carried out to investigate the effect of gas mixture, pressure, operating voltage, and sphere size on the drift time-rise time relationship of the signal in a spherical proportional counter. Our experimental results showed good agreement with MagBoltz-based simulations. These findings are a crucial step towards measuring the quenching factor in gases using a neutron beam for the New Experiments With Spheres-Gas (NEWS-G) experiment and has important implications for the development of neutron detection techniques and their potential applications in nuclear and particle physics.

A Vision for the Future of Neutron Scattering and Muon Spectroscopy in the 2050s.

Neutron scattering and muon spectroscopy are techniques that use subatomic particles to understand materials across a wide range of energy (μeV to tens of eV), length (Å to cm) and time (attosecond to hour) scales. The methods are widely used to study condensed phase materials in areas that span physics, chemistry, biology, engineering and cultural heritage. In this Perspective we consider three questions: (i) will neutron scattering and muon spectroscopy still be needed in the 2050s? (ii) What might the technology to produce neutron and muon beams look like in the 2050s? (iii) What will be the applications in the 2050s? Overall, the neutron/muon ecosystem in the 2050s will have less capacity than now, but greater capability because of the somewhat higher power sources, better instrumentation and data analysis.

Temperature distribution in the PGAA system: Collimator, shutter, and filter in TRIGA Mark II reactor

This article examines the impact of temperature on the steel collimator cap and the primary beam shutter. These components will be used to implement the Prompt Gamma Activation Analysis (PGAA) technique in the Moroccan TRIGA Mark-II research reactor. The steel collimator plug is essential for forming the neutron beam, while the main role of the shutter is to stop the beam when the channel is inactive. This study analyzes the effect of temperature on the collimator and shutter system, particularly focusing on the variation in maximum temperature over a month of operation with 8-h cycles per day, the behavior of temperature over 24 h, the total heat flux as a function of the length of the experimental device, the temperature distribution in mild steel (E235) and 304L stainless steel materials, and the total displacement and strain gradient as a function of temperature. All calculations were performed using COMSOL Multiphysics simulation software, based on the finite element method.

Effects of ionization chamber orientation in photon and neutron beams

Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is a biologically targeted radiotherapy modality that utilizes a neutron beam. Ionization chambers are used in neutron beam dosimetry which is part of the commissioning process and periodic quality assurance. Ionization chambers used in BNCT are a bit larger in size compared to conventional external beam radiotherapy counterparts and a fixed horizontal beam direction poses its challenges among other considerations. Because of this, more flexible ionization chamber positioning would be preferred even in a large water phantom. In this work, we explain the effects and uncertainties that depend on chamber orientation. We compared depth dose curves measured with Exradin T2 and M2 ion chambers with two radiation sources, 6X photon and epithermal neutron beam, and in two orientations; one where the ionization chamber rod was positioned in perpendicular and the other where it was positioned in parallel orientation compared to the beam central axis. The perpendicular orientation is the reference orientation used in calibration. However, the parallel orientation allowed us to measure depth dose closer to the surface and the measurements had smaller systematic uncertainties because of a more straightforward alignment process. We can convert the data between the two different orientations with two simple correction parameters; correction factor which adjusted amplitude (k) and shift which adjusted the change of the effective point position in depth direction (Δ). All correction factor results were within 1.000±0.015 and all shift results were smaller or the same order of magnitude compared to the positioning accuracy, 0.05mm - 0.5mm. Even without the usage of corrections, the measurements were already almost in agreement. Because of this, we would recommend taking into consideration 2% additional uncertainty if measurements are performed in parallel orientation and no such correction parameters are used.

The redesigned neutron imaging facility, NORMA at BNC, Budapest

The Budapest Neutron Center operates the cold neutron beam imaging station, Neutron Optics and Radiography for Material Analysis (NORMA), for non-destructive testing. For the NORMA station, there have been increasing requests to reach higher spatial resolution and the ability to follow time-dependent processes. Therefore, the system used successfully so far was completely redesigned and installed for a variety of tasks. The new system is based on the principle of three independent modules, allowing for highly configurable settings. It is to find the right balance between the necessary spatial resolution, a sufficiently shorter or longer temporal resolution, and a large enough field of view. The systematic study of the setups clearly shows the parameters’ effects, helping to make the right choice for the measurement tasks. Among the rarely investigated parameters, we studied both the effect of the pixel binning and the change in the lens f-stop value on the spatial resolution. The newly improved NORMA facility allows the acquisition of high-quality neutron images for planned observations, e.g., local water kinetics in fuel cells.

The impacts of spin–orbit coupling and strain on transverse dynamical spin susceptibility in undoped phosphorene: Kane–Mele model study

We present the behaviors of dynamical transverse spin susceptibilities of undoped phosphorene monolayer using the Green’s function approach in the context of Kane–Mele model Hamiltonian. Such dynamical spin susceptibility is proportional to inelastic cross section of neutron beam from the layer. Specially, the effects of magnetic field and spin–orbit coupling strength on the spin excitation modes of phosphorene monolayer are investigated via calculating correlation function of spin density operators. Our results show the increase of magnetic field leads to move the magnetic excitation energy to higher values. Also, the intensity of peaks in inelastic cross section reduces with increase of magnetic field. We also show that applying both uniaxial and biaxial strains causes to decrease the intensity of peaks in dynamical spin susceptibility. Finally the effects of both compressive and tensile strains on frequency dependence of dynamical spin structure factor of phosphorene layer are studied. Moreover, the frequency positions of spin excitation mode of phosphorene layer have been investigated due to the effects of spin orbit coupling strength in details.

Visualization techniques of grease fluidity

Energy-saving technology has become increasingly significant as one of the carbon-neutral options for suppressing recent global warming. Grease-lubricated bearings have been used in various automotive and industrial machinery, requiring low torque and long service life for energy-saving performance, which is greatly influenced by grease fluidity. A numerical approach for understanding grease fluidity is very complex since grease is a non-Newtonian fluid with thixotropic properties. Visualization technique is one of the helpful methods to understand the complex grease fluidity and apply it to practical use. This paper describes state-of-the-art visualization techniques, such as fluorescence method, particle imaging velocimetry, infrared spectroscopy, X-rays, and neutron beams.

New Mini Neutron Tubes with Multiple Applications

Recent experimental investigations have demonstrated that a substantial amount of H−/D− ions can be formed by thermal desorption processes. Based on these new findings, new mini axial and coaxial-type neutron tubes have been developed for the production of high or low-energy neutrons via the d-d, d-10B, d-7Li or p-7Li nuclear reactions. By operating these mini neutron tubes with a high frequency AC high-voltage supply, short pulses of high intensity neutron beams can be generated. Multiple applications, such as carbon and well logging, neutron imaging, cancer therapy, medical isotope production, fission reactor start-up, fusion reactor material evaluation, homeland security and space exploration can be performed with the subcompact neutron generator system. It is shown that the performance of these new mini neutron tubes can exceed those of the conventional plasma-based neutron sources.

4D Tomography for neutron depth profiling applications

High-rate Neutron Depth Profiling (NDP) is a very efficient and precise probe for studying the evolution of lithium concentration in thin-layer structures, e.g., battery electrodes. NDP is typically limited to a one-dimensional depth analysis summed over the profile area covered by the neutron beam. We developed a detector system based on double-sided silicon strip detectors (DSSSD) with extremely thin and homogeneous entrance windows to provide a new quality of NDP measurements in 3+1 dimensions for the N4DP instrument at the FRM II in Garching, Germany. Using the 6Li(n, α)3H reaction in an experiment conducted at the research reactor in Delft, we achieved a lateral position resolution down to ∼100μm and an energy resolution with FWHM≈10keV for the triton particles at energies of 2.7MeV. High-resolution 3D pictures with a contrast uncertainty <10% per pixel can be achieved faster than 1 picture per minute. This rate can be adjusted individually for each experiment by sacrificing granularity in the position measurement.

Preliminary study of a compact pulsed deuterium-deuterium neutron generator with a vacuum arc ion source and a linear induction accelerator

The pulsed neutron beam combined with the time-of-flight (TOF) technique has shown great value in many scientific research and application fields. Most of the neutron-based material identification and interrogation systems require an intense pulsed neutron beam. Time resolved prompt gamma neutron activation analysis (T-PGNAA) is an effective analytical method to greatly suppress interference from the other elements or the neutron shields of the detectors. To develop T-PGNAA method in a compact accelerator neutron source, a novel intense pulsed deuterium-deuterium (D-D) neutron generator based on a linear induction accelerator (LIA) was introduced. The generator has four major components: a vacuum arc ion source with deuterated electrode, a diode accelerator structure, a self-biased voltage secondary electron suppressed structure and a deuterated metal target. The present study characterizes the performance of the neutron generator with respect to neutron yield, the ionic current, beam profile, and beam composition as a function of the acceleration voltage at various discharge currents. Monoenergetic neutrons (2.5 MeV) are produced with a yield of ∼104 n/p and a pulse width of ∼100 ns using about 200 kV of induction acceleration voltage at 10−4 Pa vacuum environment. In this study, we will discuss various physical and technical issues related to the components of the neutron generator and the operation and merits of the novel neutron generator.

Development of a 10 K automated sample exchange cryostat for SANS_CSNS

The Small-angle Neutron Spectrometer at China Spallation Neutron Source (SANS_CSNS) is a functional apparatus utilized for the examination of structures and inhomogeneities within the size range of 1 to 100 nm. The development of sample environments for in situ experiments at low temperatures at SANS_CSNS is urgent in order to address the increasing demands of users. The CSNS Sample Environment Group has successfully designed and constructed an automated sample exchange cryostat for SANS experiments, capable of operating in a temperature range of 10 ∼ 500 K. This cryostat has been specifically engineered to accommodate up to four samples simultaneously and exchange samples automatically in order to optimize the utilization of neutron beams by minimizing the downtime associated with manual sample handling. The results of simulation and temperature measurement proved that sample temperature could be accurately controlled from 10 K to 500 K through the incorporation of a 4 K GM cryocooler and a heater. Furthermore, neutron scattering studies conducted on SANS_CSNS proved that this cryostat exhibits commendable temperature control capabilities and minimal background interference. This automated sample exchange cryostat will be available to researchers of SANS_CSNS in the following user programs.

Present and new operational quantities evaluated from photon spectrum measurements at workplaces in the research reactor and accelerator facility at the JAEA

The International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements (ICRU) has proposed to change the definitions of the operational quantities used for the area and individual monitoring of external exposure in ICRU Report 95. Since introducing new operational quantities into the radiation monitoring may affect the dose assessment using the present personal dosimeters, precise assessments of the influence on monitoring are necessary by characterizing the energy spectrum in the workplace and the energy dependency of the dosimeters to be used. This study measured photon spectra using a NaI(Tl) scintillation detector or a LaBr3(Ce) scintillation detector at the Japan Research Reactor No. 3 (JRR-3) and Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex (J-PARC) workplaces at the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA). The photon energy spectra were obtained by unfolding the pulse height distributions measured at each workplace. The present and new operational quantities were then evaluated and compared using the spectra measured at the workplaces.In JRR-3, the photon energy spectra were measured at the workplaces in the reactor room and thermal neutron beam hall while the reactor was operated. The ambient dose equivalent rates H˙*(10) at the workplaces were 0.2 μSv·h−1 – 13 μSv·h−1. High energy gamma-rays of 6–7 MeV from 16N were observed near the fuel failure detection system in the reactor room. Those of 7–8 MeV produced by the thermal neutron capture of iron were observed in the reactor room and the beam hall. In J-PARC, the photon energy spectra were measured at the workplaces in the beam tunnel of the 3 GeV synchrotron beam ring five days after the operation. The ambient dose equivalent rates H˙*(10) at the workplaces were 35 μSv·h−1 –430 μSv·h−1.It was found that the new personal doses, Hp, were 10%–20% smaller than the present personal dose equivalents, Hp(10), at the workplaces.

Gamma emission from interaction of fission neutrons on nickel and zirconium

Gamma emission induced by the irradiation of nickel and zirconium with fission neutrons was investigated with the FaNGaS (Fast Neutron–induced Gamma-ray Spectrometry) instrument operated at Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Zentrum. Measurements were done at an angle of 90° with respect to the direction of the fission neutron beam (average neutron energy of 2.18 MeV). We report on the relative intensities and production cross sections of 265 gamma lines (163 for nickel and 102 for zirconium). Consistency with available literature data was evaluated. The cross section of the 90Zr(n,n′)90mZr reaction was determined to be 88 ± 8 mb. For a counting time of 12 h, the detection limits of 0.7 and 1.3 mg were estimated for nickel and zirconium, respectively.

Cone beam neutron interferometry: From modeling to applications

Phase-grating moiré interferometers (PGMIs) have emerged as promising candidates for the next generation of neutron interferometry, enabling the use of a polychromatic beam and manifesting interference patterns that can be directly imaged by existing neutron cameras. However, the modeling of the various PGMI configurations is limited to cumbersome numerical calculations and backward propagation models which often do not enable one to explore the setup parameters. Here we generalize the Fresnel scaling theorem to introduce a k-space model for PGMI setups illuminated by a cone beam, thus enabling an intuitive forward propagation model for a wide range of parameters and experimental setups. The interference manifested by a PGMI is shown to be a special case of the Talbot effect, and the optimal fringe visibility is shown to occur at the moiré location of the Talbot distances. We derive analytical expressions for the contrast and the propagating intensity profiles in various conditions and provide the first analysis of the PGMI dark-field imaging signal when considering sample characterization. The model's predictions are compared to experimental measurements and good agreement is found between them. Last, we propose and experimentally verify a method to recover contrast at typically inaccessible PGMI autocorrelation lengths. The presented work provides a toolbox for analyzing and understanding existing PGMI setups and their future applications, for example extensions to two-dimensional PGMIs and characterization of samples with nontrivial structures. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Dynamic diffraction of thermal neutrons in crystals with continuous deformation field

The purpose of the work is to consider the basics of the formation of a diffraction wave field of thermal neutrons in the case of Laue transmission geometry of a limited beam of neutrons in the crystal, taking into account the peculiarities of the interaction of thermal neutrons with a continuously and slowly changing deformation field of the crystal net. The conditions of both diffraction blurring and diffraction contraction (focusing) up to the practical restoration of the original shape of the packet will be studied.An integral form for determining the quasi-amplitudes of diffracted waves within the framework of the original spatially inhomogeneous beams is formulated, based on the constructed functions of the influence of a point source of thermal neutron waves for crystals with a continues deformation field. It has been shown that neutron focusing is effective, which is revealed by a smaller half-width of the focal spot, an increase in the resolving power of the energy spectrum and focusing efficiency.

Highly aligned pyrolytic graphite blades for neutron monochromatization

Highly aligned pyrolytic graphite blades for neutron monochromatization have been fabricated successfully from smaller commercial highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) crystals. These blades of a large coverage area, 136 mm wide × 2 mm high, are achieved with minimum increase of the mosaic over that of the original HOPG crystal. A specialized crystal cleavage device and soldering device are developed for the fabrication process. Furthermore, an optimized intermittent mode of the radio frequency magnetron sputtering technique is employed to deposit indium on HOPG crystals. The devices and procedure reported here could be applied to the development of the focusing monochromators and analyzers in neutron scattering instruments using a sizable neutron beam.

Conceptual design of a macromolecular diffractometer for the Jülich high brilliance source.

In this work, a concept for a neutron diffractometer for high-resolution macromolecular structures has been developed within the Jülich High Brilliance Neutron Source (HBS) project. The SELENE optics are adapted to the requirements of the instrument to achieve a tunable low background neutron beam at mm2 scale sample area. With the optimized guide geometry, a low background neutron beam can be achieved at the small sample area with tunable divergence and size. For the 1 × 1mm2 sample, a flux of 1.10 × 107 n/s/cm2 for 0.38° divergence is calculated in the 2-4Å wavelength range, which is about 84.6% of the flux at MaNDi of the high-power spallation source SNS at ORNL. Virtual neutron scattering experiments have been performed to demonstrate the instrument's capabilities for studies of mm scale samples with large unit cells. Results of Vitesse simulations indicate that unit cell sizes of up to 200Å are possible to be resolved with the proposed instrument.

Calibration and validation measurements of the Extended-range Bonner sphere spectrometer

An Extended-range Bonner sphere spectrometer (EBSS) has been developed to investigate the neutron spectra of the China initiative Accelerator Driven System. This paper presents the design, calibration, and validation measurements of the EBSS system using a standard 241Am-Be neutron source and the cosmic ray neutrons. The EBSS system was simulated using the PHITS code, and the geometric structures were designed using the response functions obtained by simulations. The EBSS system comprises of seven polyethylene-only spheres and seven extended-range spheres encased in lead, copper, or tungsten shells along with a bare 3He proportional counter. To verify the accuracy of the simulated response functions, the EBSS system was calibrated with monoenergetic neutron beams of 565 keV at the China Institute of Atomic Energy in Beijing. The EBSS system was used to measure neutron count rates of the 241Am-Be neutron source and cosmic ray neutrons. Subsequently, the measured neutron count rates were converted into neutron spectra by the unfolding software. Experimental findings demonstrate the precise capability of the EBSS system to measure neutron spectra across a wide range of neutron radiation fields.

Neutron Diffraction Measurements of Residual Stresses for Ferritic Steel Specimens over 80 mm Thick

The maximum thickness for ferritic steel specimens’ residual stress measurements using neutron diffraction is known to be about 80 mm. This paper proposes a new neutron diffraction configuration of residual stress measurements for cases that are over 80 mm thick. The configuration utilizes a neutron beam with a wavelength of 1.55 Å diffracted from the (220) plane with a diffraction angle (2θ) of 99.4°. The reason for the deep penetration capability is attributed to the chosen wavelength having enough intensities due to the low cross-section near the Bragg edge and the reduced beam path length (~16 mm) reflected by the large diffraction angle. Neutron diffraction experiments with this configuration can decrease strain errors up to ±150 με, corresponding to a stress of about ±30 MPa.

Effects of neutron sources and moderator materials on therapeutic dose delivery to deep-seated lesions in proton accelerator-based boron neutron capture therapy

This study aimed to identify the optimal conditions for delivering sufficient doses to deep-seated lesions within short irradiation times for two boron carriers of different T/N ratios. The therapeutic depth and irradiation time of a neutron beam for beam shaping assemblies (BSAs) with a Li or Be target and a MgF2 or CaF2 moderator were examined with the fast-neutron dose per epithermal neutron (FNR) as a parameter. When T/N = 3.61, the therapeutic depth was almost saturated at an FNR of about 10 × 10−13 Gy cm2; when the FNR value was about 10 × 10−13 Gy cm2, the therapeutic depth of the neutron beam for the BSA with a Be target and a MgF2 moderator was almost identical to that for the neutron beam for the BSA with a Be target and a CaF2 moderator, and slightly greater than those for the neutron beams for the BSAs with a Li target and a MgF2 or CaF2 moderator; moreover, the irradiation time of the neutron beam for the BSA with a Be target and a MgF2 moderator was shorter than that for the neutron beam for the BSA with a Be target and a CaF2 moderator. When T/N = 100, the therapeutic depths of the neutron beams for the BSAs varied greatly depending on the FNR, and were greater than the corresponding values for T/N = 3.61. We therefore concluded that the BSA with a Be target and a MgF2 moderator that produced a neutron beam with an FNR of about 10 × 10−13 Gy cm2 is optimal for delivering sufficient doses to deep-seated lesions in short irradiation times when T/N = 3.61, and stricter control over FNR is required when T/N = 100.