Neutron Spin Echo Spectrometer (NSE)

The Neutron Spin Echo Spectrometer as it will be installed on beam line 15 at SNS. Click image for a larger version.

To cover the domain of ultrahigh resolution spectroscopy, a neutron spin echo (NSE) spectrometer is being developed for SNS. Here we present the layout of the planned instrument with a Fourier time range that covers τ = 1 ps ... 1 µs and high effective neutron flux. A huge field of application will be the investigation of soft condensed matter and complex fluids. However, easily accessible optional modes for a ferromagnetic and intensity modulated NSE respectively offers access also to magnetic samples.

The SNS NSE will be built at the cold coupled H₂ moderator, on beam line 15. The instrument will be the best of its class with respect to both resolution and dynamic range. Exploiting superconducting technology and developing novel field correction elements [1], the maximum achievable Fourier time (i.e., the resolution) will be extended up to 1 µs. Utilizing wavelengths of 0.25 > λ/nm > 2.0, an unprecedented dynamical range of up to 1:10⁶ can be achieved. Optional easily accessible operation modes as ferromagnetic and intensity modulated NSE will enable the detailed investigation of magnetic samples and phenomena. The design of the spectrometer will take full advantage of the recent progresses in neutron optics and polarizing supermirror microbenders [2,3], resulting in considerable gains in polarized neutron flux over a wide wavelength range, as well as easy access to the intensity modulated mode.

Main Features

The proposed NSE instrument is of the original generic IN11 kind, which is the technique with the largest potential to extend the resolution beyond current limits. The new instrument will possess a number of unique features:

• Ultrahigh resolution: τ_max ≤ 1 µs (Δħω = 0.7neV)
• Huge dynamical range extending up to 1:10⁶
• Position-sensitive area detector
• Field compensation and magnetic shielding
• Optional intensity-modulated mode

A moderator detector distance of 18 m yields a frame width of Δλ ≤ 0.366 nm. The resolution of τ_max≤ 1 µs shall be obtained for λ > 1.8 nm (g = 1.8). In addition, due to the TOF λ separation the wavelength dependent part of the Q-resolution is an order of magnitude better than at reactor instruments [3]. Exploiting that the Fourier time τ~λ³ a subsequent use of various frames covering 0.25 < λ/nm < 2.0 and a variation of the magnetic field (integral) by a factor >1000 a huge dynamical range is achieved. By automatic setup procedures, the change of wavelength frames will be a routine operation with negligible time delay. The inherent change of Q(λ)~1/λ fortunately complies with the usual dispersion of relaxation rates Γ~Q².Q⁴. An area-sensitive fast detector of 30 cm in diameter covers a solid angle of ΔΩ > 4° x 4° and ensures an efficient data collection rate. The magnetic stray field of the main coils is compensated down to 1 to 1.5 x 10^-4T in a 1.5-m distance. Thereby, it becomes possible to enclose the instrument area by a magnetic shielding, which ensures a stable and reliable operation. The latter also depends on a rigid mechanical design. The thus achieved signal stability is an utterly important but often overlooked quality. Additional flippers (ferromagnetic mode) and polarizer/analysers (intensity modulated mode) will offer the unique opportunity to perform a polarization analysis of the scattering from magnetic samples, to deal with depolarising samples [4], or separate coherent and spin-incoherent scattering.

The upper plot shows the Q, τ - space for the intensity modulated neutron spin echo spectrometer (dashed dotted lines determined with the parameters as listed) and the generic IN11 type neutron spin echo spectrometer (solid lines determined with the parameters as listed).
Monte Carlo flux simulation of the integrated flux of the instrument integrated over a wavelength frame of about 3.66 Å.

The placement of components along the beam line is shown in the previous drawing. The neutron guide section starts with the shutter insert at about 2.5 m distance from the cold coupled moderator. Guides will be nickel-coated and have a cross section of 4 cm (width) x 8 cm (height). A chopper system consisting of three choppers selects the required wavelength frame. Between the first and second chopper a short polarizing bender is located that introduces a bend of the beam line of 3.5° out of the direct line of sight. For different wavelength ranges —each covering several frames—different solid state microbenders are required. For that purpose, 2 to 3 benders are situated in a revolver. A fourth position of the revolver (length ~0.5 m) serves as auxiliary shutter. After the benders a guide field in the neutron guide field preserves the polarization. Between the last (3^rd) chopper the guide field is rotated from vertical to longitudinal direction. The expected flux on the sample has been determined using the VITESS Monte-Carlo code [5], the result is shown at left. The time-averaged intensity on the sample will be respectively higher than the flux at the high flux ILL instrument IN11. The Fourier time of 1 µs requires the use of long wavelengths up to 1.8 nm in combination with a large magnetic precession field (1 Tm). As the intensity modulated NSE absorbs a factor of about 100 neutrons the maximum achievable wavelength with reasonable flux is limited to 0.8 nm.

The "primary" shielding sector around the neutron guide ends at about 10 to 11 m. The following NSE area is enclosed by a combined magnetic and radiation shielding. The functional components are located on three separate mechanical carriers: first arm, sample stage, and second arm. The carriers move on air pads on a special floor (tanzboden). The main solenoids, one on each arm, each consist of two concentric cylindrical superconducting coils that provide high field integrals in combination with compensation for lowest stray field. Flippers limit the precession paths. They are operated with current ramps that are adapted to the time varying wavelength within the selected frame. For low Q-SANS, an optional converging collimator in front of the sample is foreseen.

After traversing the last π/2-flipper, the neutrons enter a combination of background suppression collimator and analyser, before those with the right final spin polarization hit the detector. The scattering arm has to be rotated around the sample position in order to realize a reasonable momentum transfer (Q) range. This determines the lateral space requirements. The instrument use has to be restricted to a maximum scattering angle of about 60° in order not to violated its sector boundaries. The thus usable Q, τ - space is shown in the plot above.

References

[1] M. Monkenbusch in "Neutron Spin Echo Spectroscopy," Eds. F. Mezei, C. Pappas, T. Gutberlet, Lecture Notes in Physics 601, Springer-Verlag Heidelberg (2003).
[2] Th. Krist and F. Mezei, Physica B 276-278, 208 (2000).
[3] B. Farago in "Neutron Spin Echo Spectroscopy," Eds. F. Mezei, C. Pappas, T. Gutberlet, Lecture Notes in Physics 601, Springer-Verlag Heidelberg (2003).
[4] B. Farago, F. Mezei, Physica B 136, 627 (1986).
[5] G. Zsigmond, K. Lieutenant, F. Mezei, Neutron News 13.4, 11 (2002).

NSE is being designed and constructed by an Instrument Development Team (IDT) at the Jülich Centre for Neutron Science. Michael Ohl is the lead instrument scientist.

Additional Information:

• Instrument fact sheet