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Polarization analysis for small‐angle neutron scattering with a 3 He spin filter at a pulsed neutron source
Author(s) -
Okudaira Takuya,
Ueda Yuki,
Hiroi Kosuke,
Motokawa Ryuhei,
Inamura Yasuhiro,
Takata Shin-ichi,
Oku Takayuki,
Suzuki Jun-ichi,
Takahashi Shingo,
Endo Hitoshi,
Iwase Hiroki
Publication year - 2021
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/s1600576721001643
Subject(s) - small angle neutron scattering , neutron scattering , neutron , biological small angle scattering , scattering , incoherent scatter , neutron source , spallation neutron source , neutron time of flight scattering , neutron diffraction , physics , optics , atomic physics , nuclear physics , diffraction
Neutron polarization analysis (NPA) for small‐angle neutron scattering (SANS) experiments using a pulsed neutron source was successfully achieved by applying a 3 He spin filter as a spin analyzer for the neutrons scattered from the sample. The cell of the 3 He spin filter gives a weak small‐angle scattering intensity (background) and covers a sufficient solid angle for performing SANS experiments. The relaxation time of the 3 He polarization is sufficient for continuous use for approximately 2 days, thus reaching the typical duration required for a complete set of SANS experiments. Although accurate evaluation of the incoherent neutron scattering, which is predominantly attributable to the extremely large incoherent scattering cross section of hydrogen atoms in samples, is difficult using calculations based on the sample elemental composition, the developed NPA approach with consideration of the influence of multiple neutron scattering enabled reliable decomposition of the SANS intensity distribution into the coherent and incoherent scattering components. To date, NPA has not been well established as a standard technique for SANS experiments at pulsed neutron sources such as the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex (J‐PARC) and the US Spallation Neutron Source. It is anticipated that this work will contribute significantly to the accurate determination of the coherent neutron scattering component for scatterers in various types of organic sample systems in SANS experiments at J‐PARC, particularly for systems involving competition between the coherent and incoherent scattering intensity.