Considerations about Chopper Configuration at a time-of-flight SANS Instrument at a Spallation Source

TL;DR

This paper discusses optimal chopper configurations for a small-angle neutron scattering instrument at a spallation source, balancing flux and resolution for precise neutron velocity measurements.

Contribution

It presents specific chopper configurations tailored for maximum flux and high-resolution modes in a SANS instrument, considering unique instrument constraints.

Findings

Proposed chopper setups for flux maximization.

Proposed chopper setups for high-resolution measurements.

Analysis of configuration impacts on instrument performance.

Abstract

In any neutron scattering experiment the measurement of the position of the scattered neutrons and their respective velocities is necessary. In order to do so, a position sensitive detector as well as a way to determine the velocities is needed. Measuring the velocities can either be done by using only a single wavelength and therefore velocity or by creating pulses, where the start and end time of each pulse is known and registering the time of arrival at the detector, which is the case we want to consider here. This pulse shaping process in neutron scattering instruments is usually done by using a configuration of several choppers. This set of choppers is then used to define both the beginning and the end of the pulse. Additionally there is of course also a selection in phase space determining the final resolution that can be achieved by the instrument. Taking into account the special requirements of a specific instrument, here a small-angle neutron scattering instrument, creates an additional set of restrictions that have to be taken into account. In this manuscript a chopper configuration for two possible settings, namely a maximum flux and a high-resolution mode will be presented.