MAUD - SANS Diffractometer

High-resolution SANS diffractometer is one of two experimental facilities operated at the neutron channel HK8. The double-bent-crystal SANS diffractometer MAUD is designed for the measurements of neutron small-angle scattering in the high Q-resolution mode. In contrast to the conventional double-crystal arrangements, the fully asymmetric diffraction geometry on the elastically bent Si analyzer is employed inorder to transfer the angular distribution of the scattered neutrons to the spatial distribution. It enables then to analyze the whole scattering curve by a one-dimensional position sensitive detector.

The instrument is mainly suited to investigation of structural or compositional inhomogeneities in materials in the size range 0.05÷2 micrometer, mainly porous materials and large precipitates in alloys.

  • MAUD description

    The double-crystal diffractometer MAUD (formerly DN-2) is designed for the measurements of neutron small-angle scattering in high Q-resolution mode. In contrast to conventional double-crystal arrangements (step-by-step angular scanning), a fully asymmetric diffraction geometry on the elastically bent Si analyzer is employed to transfer the angular distribution of the scattered neutrons to the spatial distribution. It enables to record the whole scattering curve by a one-dimensional position sensitive detector. It reduces the exposure time per sample typically to 0.5-5 hours (depending on the particular Q-resolution and sample cross-section).

    The device is suitable for investigation of inhomogeneities in the size range 500 Ă - 2 micrometre and is thus complementary to standard pin-hole SANS facilities (see e.g. SANS I at SINQ).

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  • Instrument Parameters

    Monochromator   bent perfect crystal Si(111), symmetric reflection
    Sample maximum irradiated cross-section 4x25 mm2
    Analyzer bent perfect crystal Si 111, fully asymmetric geometry
    Detector 1-dimensional position sensitive detector, 3He filled, resolution ~ 1.5 mm
    Wavelength 2.09 Ă
    Neutron flux 5x103 ÷ 5x104 n s-1 cm-2
    Q-resolution 10-4 ÷ 10-3 Ă-1
    Q-range 2x10-4 ÷ 2x10-2Ă-1
    size range 500 Ă - 2 micrometers

     


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  • Sample environment at MAUD

    To enhance the possibility to measure the samples at various conditions, several sample environments can be put on MAUD beam. For non-ambient condition studies, a vacuum furnace can be used. Samples within a set can be automatically exchanged by sample changer for up to 9 samples. For mechanical testing, a deformation rig can be employed with maximum tensile/pressure load up to 20 kN. For measurement of anisotropic samples, a rotation table can be installed.

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