Compact spherical neutron polarimeter using high-Tc YBCO films
Abstract
We describe a simple, compact device for spherical neutron polarimetry measurements at small neutron scattering angles. The device consists of a sample chamber with very low (<0.01 G) magnetic field flanked by regions within which the neutron polarization can be manipulated in a controlled manner. This allows any selected initial and final polarization direction of the neutrons to be obtained. We have constructed a prototype device using high-Tc superconducting films and mu-metal to isolate regions with different magnetic fields and tested device performance in transmission geometry. Finite-element methods were used to simulate the device’s field profile and these have been verified by experiment using a small solenoid as a test sample. Measurements are reported using both monochromatic and polychromatic neutron sources. The results show that the device is capable of extracting sample information and distinguishing small angular variations of the sample magnetic field. As a more realistic test, we present results on the characterization of a 10 μm thick Permalloy film in zero magnetic field, as well as its response to an external magnetic field.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 2016
- Source ID
- 10.1063/1.4943254
Entities
People
- Adam L Washington
- David V. Baxter
- Fankang Li
- Roger Pynn
- S. R. Parnell
- Tianhao Wang
- W. A. Hamilton
Organizations
- Delft University of Technology
- Indiana University
- National Science Foundation
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory
- United States Department of Defense
- United States Department of Energy
- University of Sheffield