3D-printed B₄C collimation for neutron pressure cells

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Neutron Scattering
• High-Pressure Physics

Background:

• Incident-beam collimators are crucial for neutron scattering experiments.
• Traditional collimators have design limitations.
• The Paris-Edinburgh pressure cell requires specialized collimators.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and fabricate novel incident-beam collimators for the Paris-Edinburgh pressure cell.
• To evaluate the performance of 3D-printed and composite collimators.
• To explore advanced collimator designs using 3D printing.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of collimators using reaction-bonded B4C and 3D-printing.
• Characterization of four collimator types: B4C, 3D-printed, glue-infiltrated, glue-free tip, and enriched 10B4C tip.
• Performance evaluation at Oak Ridge National Laboratory's neutron scattering facilities.

Main Results:

• 3D-printed collimators demonstrate comparable performance to traditional ones.
• Composite collimators, particularly those with enriched 10B4C tips, show enhanced neutronic characteristics.
• 3D printing enables the creation of complex collimator geometries, including those for single-crystal samples in diamond anvil cells.

Conclusions:

• 3D-printed collimators are a viable and cost-effective alternative.
• Composite designs offer superior performance for neutron scattering.
• 3D printing opens new possibilities for advanced collimator designs in high-pressure and extreme environment research.