Instrumentation at pulsed neutron sources

• Published in: Review of scientific instruments 1984-07, Vol.55 (7), p.1019-1043
• Main Authors: Carpenter, J. M., Lander, G. H., Windsor, C. G.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Atomic, molecular and charged-particle sources and detectors; Charged-particle beam sources and detectors; Exact sciences and technology; Instruments, apparatus, components and techniques common to several branches of physics and astronomy; Physics
• ISSN: 0034-6748; 1089-7623
• DOI: 10.1063/1.1137897

Scientific investigations involving the use of neutron beams have been centered at reactor sources for the last 35 years. Recently, there has been considerable interest in using the neutrons produced by accelerator driven (pulsed) sources. Such installations are in operation in England, Japan, and the United States. In this article a brief survey is given of how the neutron beams are produced and how they can be optimized for neutron scattering experiments. A detailed description is then given of the various types of instruments that have been, or are planned, at pulsed sources. Numerous examples of the scientific results that are emerging are given. An attempt is made throughout the article to compare the scientific opportunities at pulsed sources with the proven performance of reactor installations, and some familiarity with the latter and the general field of neutron scattering is assumed. New areas are being opened up by pulsed sources, particularly with the intense epithermal neutron beams, which promise to be several orders of magnitude more intense than can be obtained from a thermal reactor.