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SUSANS With Polarized Neutrons.
Apoorva G Wagh1, Veer Chand Rakhecha1, Makus Strobl2
1Solid State Physics Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400085, India.
Summary
Super Ultra-Small Angle Neutron Scattering (SUSANS) now offers polarized neutron capabilities, enabling detailed analysis of micrometer-sized magnetic structures. This advancement provides insights into magnetic alloy ribbon samples by differentiating spin-up and spin-down neutron scattering.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Neutron Scattering Techniques
Background:
- Super Ultra-Small Angle Neutron Scattering (SUSANS) probes micrometer-scale structures.
- Polarization analysis enhances scattering data by differentiating neutron spin states.
Purpose of the Study:
- To equip the SUSANS instrument with a polarized neutron option.
- To investigate magnetic properties of alloy ribbon samples at micrometer length scales.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a right-angled magnetic air prism for neutron spin separation.
- Performed SUSANS experiments on magnetic alloy ribbons in a uniform vertical magnetic field.
- Applied Fourier transforms to corrected scattering spectra.
Main Results:
- Achieved significant separation of up- and down-spin neutron peaks.
- Observed distinct broadening of the up-spin neutron peak in magnetic alloy samples.
- Obtained micrometer-range pair distribution functions and scattering length density distributions.
Conclusions:
- The polarized SUSANS instrument successfully probes magnetic heterogeneity in materials.
- This technique provides detailed information on nuclear and magnetic structures at the micrometer scale.
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