The road to a station for epithermal and thermal neutron analysis

Abstract

Abstract.Despite the large variety of research interests and themes motivating the current neutron research included in this collection, we have found common denominators characterising the manner in which the chosen research methodology tries to tackle the envisaged scientific questions. This article attempts to characterise those trends in current research with the aim of identifying the main mid-to-long term opportunities faced by electron-Volt neutron spectroscopy. The main realisation from this exercise is that the scientific community seems eager to combine neutron-based techniques over a broad energy range. To this end, the most natural choice seems to be to resort to neutron instruments where such capabilities are already present from the outset, with the most prominent example being the VESUVIO spectrometer at the ISIS pulsed neutron and muon source in the UK. However broad the operational basis of the existing neutron beamline infrastructure may be, progress, achievable only through further instrument upgrades, is the only way forward. The need to move forward is clearly seen within the community and is well documented by the research presented in this collection. This need for a substantial upgrade has crystallised in the form of a proposition to build a station rather than a conventional beamline, for Epithermal and Thermal Neutron Analysis station, hereafter ETNA.

Development of thermal scattering kernels for sodium hydroxide

“…For the present work, we carried out experiments in May 2020 using the VESUVIO+ beamline, which is a thermal-to-epithermal neutron station optimised for the routine measurement of the total cross sections over a broad energy range [21][22][23] -see figure 1. A sample of 8.47g of NaOH powder at room temperature was prepared as shown in figure 2 [9], and placed centrally in the neutron beam.…”

A Vision for the Future of Neutron Scattering and Muon Spectroscopy in the 2050s

“…There is also demand for concurrent measurements. While some inelastic neutron scattering instruments have long had a simultaneous neutron diffraction capability, (in fact VESUVIO at ISIS has five neutron techniques that are measured concurrently) the drive is to toward complementary non-neutron techniques. Diffraction and conductivity or dielectric measurements, Raman spectroscopy with inelastic , or elastic neutron scattering are now available or planned at several facilities.…”

Investigation of the Dynamic Behaviour of H2 and D2 in a Kinetic Quantum Sieving System

“…A subtle interplay between the local curve of the potential energy surface (PES) experienced by a given isotopic species, the degree of spatial and chemical confinement, the temperature, and the isotope mass determines the net value of the nuclear ZPE. 21 This nontrivial behavior can be monitored by a unique technique of neutron Compton scattering (NCS), which measures the amounts of isotopic ZPEs and curvatures of local PES they experience in an isotope-resolved manner. 22,23 This study aimed to explore the kinetics and diffusion processes of H 2 and D 2 in a confined nanoporous quantum system.…”

“…However, the amount of the isotope effect on the nuclear ZPE can depend on factors other than the isotope mass. A subtle interplay between the local curve of the potential energy surface (PES) experienced by a given isotopic species, the degree of spatial and chemical confinement, the temperature, and the isotope mass determines the net value of the nuclear ZPE . This nontrivial behavior can be monitored by a unique technique of neutron Compton scattering (NCS), which measures the amounts of isotopic ZPEs and curvatures of local PES they experience in an isotope-resolved manner. , …”