Backscattering silicon spectrometer (BASIS): sixteen years in advanced materials characterization

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Soft Matter Physics
• Chemistry

Background:

• Quasielastic neutron scattering (QENS) is a powerful technique for studying atomic and molecular mobility at small length scales.
• Neutrons' high penetration and sensitivity to scattering cross-sections enable probing bulk material dynamics.
• Understanding material dynamics is crucial for structure-property relationships and applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review QENS experiments conducted using the neutron backscattering silicon spectrometer (BASIS).
• To highlight BASIS's capabilities in exploring dynamics across diverse material systems.
• To showcase the application of BASIS in understanding structure-property relationships.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing the BASIS spectrometer, a high-resolution time-of-flight neutron backscattering instrument.
• Measuring dynamics on nano- to picosecond timescales with high energy resolution (~0.0035 meV FWHM).
• Analyzing neutron scattering data to determine diffusion jump rates, jump lengths, and localized relaxations.

Main Results:

• BASIS has been extensively used to study dynamics in soft matter, including biological and polymer systems.
• Investigations cover a wide range of fluids, from simple hydrocarbons to ionic liquids and deep-eutectic solvents.
• Applications include studying confined hydrogen, quantum fluids, spin glasses, and magnetic materials.

Conclusions:

• BASIS provides invaluable insights into the dynamics of various chemical species and materials.
• The technique is essential for advancing materials characterization and understanding fabrication for practical applications.
• A comprehensive review of BASIS capabilities aids the materials science community in employing neutron backscattering.