Premium
Application of precise neutron focusing mirrors for neutron reflectometry: latest results and future prospects
Author(s) -
Yamada Norifumi L.,
Hosobata Takuya,
Nemoto Fumiya,
Hori Koichiro,
Hino Masahiro,
Izumi Jun,
Suzuki Kota,
Hirayama Masaaki,
Kanno Ryoji,
Yamagata Yutaka
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of applied crystallography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.429
H-Index - 162
ISSN - 1600-5767
DOI - 10.1107/s1600576720013059
Subject(s) - neutron reflectometry , neutron , optics , reflectometry , reciprocal lattice , materials science , reflection (computer programming) , neutron scattering , physics , computer science , small angle neutron scattering , nuclear physics , time domain , diffraction , computer vision , programming language
Neutron reflectometry (NR) is a powerful tool for providing insight into the evolution of interfacial structures, for example via operando measurements for electrode–electrolyte interfaces, with a spatial resolution of nanometres. The time resolution of NR, which ranges from seconds to minutes depending on the reflection intensity, unfortunately remains low, particularly for small samples made of state‐of‐the‐art materials even with the latest neutron reflectometers. To overcome this problem, a large‐area focusing supermirror manufactured with ultra‐precision machining has been employed to enhance the neutron flux at the sample, and a gain of approximately 100% in the neutron flux was achieved. Using this mirror, a reflectivity measurement was performed on a thin cathode film on an SrTiO 3 substrate in contact with an electrolyte with a small area of 15 × 15 mm. The reflectivity data obtained with the focusing mirror were consistent with those without the mirror, but the acquisition time was shortened to half that of the original, which is an important milestone for rapid measurements with a limited reciprocal space. Furthermore, a method for further upgrades that will reveal the structural evolution with a wide reciprocal space is proposed, by applying this mirror for multi‐incident‐angle neutron reflectometry.