Optimization strategies and artefacts of time-involved small angle neutron scattering experiments

TL;DR

This paper reviews optimization strategies and artefacts in time-involved small angle neutron scattering experiments (TISANE), highlighting how phase synchronization and data analysis choices impact measurements of mesoscale systems under slow, periodic perturbations.

Contribution

It introduces specific optimization strategies for TISANE and discusses artefacts caused by data binning and pulse width, advancing the methodology for kinetic neutron scattering.

Findings

TISANE enables microsecond time-scale measurements without significant intensity loss.

Artefacts from data binning and pulse width can affect data interpretation.

Optimization strategies improve the accuracy of mesoscale system analysis.

Abstract

Kinetic small-angle neutron scattering provides access to the microscopic properties of mesoscale systems under slow, periodic perturbations. By interlocking the phases of neutron pulse, sample modulation, and detector signal, so-called Time-Involved Small Angle Neutron scattering Experiments (TISANE) allow to exploit the neutron velocity spread and record data without major sacrifice in intensity at time-scales down to micro-seconds. We review the optimization strategies of TISANE that arise from specific aspects of the process of data acquisition and data analysis starting from the basic principles of operation. Typical artefacts of data recorded in TISANE due to the choice of time-binning and neutron chopper pulse width are illustrated by virtue of the response of the skyrmion lattice in MnSi under periodic changes of the direction of the magnetic field stabilizing the skyrmion lattice.