Liquids Reflectometer

LIQREF |  BL-4B | SNS

Liquids Reflectometer

Mission Statement

To enable world-leading neutron reflectometry on complex interfaces by probing surface and interfacial structures on length scales from 0.5 nm to 350 nm, delivering transformative insights into the dynamics, function, and evolution of surfaces and thin films across the physical, chemical, biological, and materials sciences. 

Instrument Description

The Liquids Reflectometer measures specular and off specular neutron reflectivity in a horizontal sample geometry from solid surfaces, solid/liquid interfaces, and free liquid surfaces. Probe wavelength and flux constrain size and flatness to samples no smaller than about 1×1 cm2 deposited on atomically smooth and cm-scale flat substrates such as silicon, quartz, sapphire, or water. The most commonly used substrate is a 50-mm-diameter, 5-mm-thick silicon wafer. A variety of sample environments are supported, including an automated sample changer, temperature-controlled liquid/solid cells with liquid handling, potentiostatically controlled electrochemical cells, vacuum and gas-handling chambers, a rheometer, and a Langmuir trough. For specialized sample environments, the user should contact a beamline staff member. We are always open to new ideas and interested in developing new capabilities.

Applications

Researchers are using the LR to study a broad range of problems, including those in the following scientific fields

  • Interfacial reactions in energy storage materials
  • Phase separation in polymer films
  • Inorganic templating at air/water interfaces
  • Complex fluids under shear and flow
  • Vesicles and gels
  • Reaction kinetics
  • Surfactants at interfaces
  • Interfacial structure in drug delivery systems
  • Membranes and their intermolecular interaction
  • Protein adsorption
  • Critical phenomena in fluid systems
  • Biocompatibility and sensors
  • Corrosion reactions

Specifications

Moderator Coupled supercritical H2
Bandwidth 3.4 Å @ 60 Hz, 6.8 Å @ 30 Hz
Wavelength Range 2.5 Å < λ < 17.0 Å
Resolution 0.02 < δQ/Q < 0.10
Sample Environment

Examples include:
Automated sample changer
2” diameter liquid/solid cells
Multi-Channel Potentiostat

Vacuum and multi-environment Chamber
High Voltage Vacuum Chamber
Rheometer