Uwe Filges

Virtual experiments: the ultimate aim of neutron ray-tracing simulations

We define a virtual neutron experiment as a complete simulation of an experiment, from source over sample to detector. The virtual experiment (VE) will ideally interface with the instrument control software for the input and with standard data analysis packages for the virtual data output. Virtual experiments are beginning to make their way into neutron scattering science with applications as diverse as instrument design/upgrade, experiment planning, data analysis, test of analysis software, teaching, and outreach. In this paper, we summarize the recent developments in this field and make suggestions for future developments and use of VEs.

McStas: Past, present and future

The McStas neutron ray-tracing simulation package is a collaboration between Riso DTU, ILL, University of Copenhagen and the PSI. During its lifetime, McStas has evolved to become the world leading software in the area of neutron scattering simulations for instrument design, optimisation, virtual experiments and science. McStas is being actively used for the design-update of the European Spallation Source (ESS) in Lund. This paper includes an introduction to the McStas package, recent and ongoing simulation projects. Further, new features in releases McStas 1.12c and 2.0 are discussed.

CAMEA—A novel multiplexing analyzer for neutron spectroscopy

The analyzer detector system continuous angle multiple energy analysis will be installed on the cold-neutron triple-axis spectrometer RITA-2 at SINQ, PSI. CAMEA is optimized for efficiency in the horizontal scattering plane enabling rapid and detailed mapping of excitations. As a novelty the design employs a series of several sequential upward scattering analyzer arcs. Each arc is set to a different, fixed, final energy and scatters neutrons towards position sensitive detectors. Thus, neutrons with different final energies are recorded simultaneously over a large angular range. In a single data-acquisition many entire constant-energy lines in the horizontal scattering plane are recorded for a quasi-continuous angular coverage of about 60°. With a large combined coverage in energy and momentum, this will result in a very efficient spectrometer, which will be particularly suited for parametric studies under extreme conditions with restrictive sample environments (high field magnets or pressure cells) and for small samples of novel materials. In this paper we outline the concept and the specifications of the instrument currently under construction.

High energy particle background at neutron spallation sources and possible solutions

Modern spallation neutron sources are driven by proton beams similar to GeV energies. Whereas low energy particle background shielding is well understood for reactors sources of neutrons (similar to 20 MeV), for high energies (100s MeV to multiple GeV) there is potential to improve shielding solutions and reduce instrument backgrounds significantly. We present initial measured data on high energy particle backgrounds, which illustrate the results of particle showers caused by high energy particles from spallation neutron sources. We use detailed physics models of different materials to identify new shielding solutions for such neutron sources, including laminated layers of multiple materials. In addition to the steel and concrete, which are used traditionally, we introduce some other options that are new to the neutron scattering community, among which there are copper alloys as used in hadronic calorimeters in high energy physics laboratories. These concepts have very attractive energy absorption characteristics, and simulations predict that the background suppression could be improved by one or two orders of magnitude. These solutions are expected to be great benefit to the European Spallation Source, where the majority of instruments are potentially affected by high energy backgrounds, as well as to existing spallation sources. (Less)

Using parabolic supermirror lenses to focus and de-focus a neutron beam

We designed a focus/defocus neutron optics system, in order to investigate the performance, precision, efficiency, and operational and designing challenges of such coupled 2- lens systems, which could potentially find applications where small beam cross sections are beneficial, e.g., virtual neutron source concepts and high efficiency chopper systems. Our particular prototype (as described and discussed in this paper) has already been used in an on-going experiment, involving neutron spin filtering with dynamically polarized protons. After the designing and construction phases, we continued by performing a long series of simulations and measurements, in order to facilitate the alignment of the lenses, and investigate and understand the behaviour and output of the system. All measurements were performed at the BOA beamline at PSI. The simulations were particularly useful in aligning the lenses: tilts as small as 0.04° could easily be accounted for in our simulations and guide successfully the experimental aligning procedure of the first lens. Although harder to do in the case of two lenses, we were still able to reproduce fairly successfully with our simulations, tilts from both lenses. We have noticed (both in our experiments and simulations) that the sensitivity of such a set-up is ~ 0.01°.

Neutron spectroscopy with {sup 6}LiF bolometers

A compact and semi‐portable neutron detector has been built based on the bolometric technique. Its unique features open new possibilities for the radioprotection survey of fast neutrons at nuclear installations and the investigations of background problems of sensitive neutron scattering instruments. This cryogenic detector, operated at 300–400 mK, consists of a 0.5 g LiF 95% 6Li enriched crystal read out by a NTD‐Ge sensor and is based on the 6Li(n, α)3H neutron capture reaction. It is used to define the energy of neutrons up to 5 MeV. Measurements with 252Cf source have been performed to determine the energy resolution of the detector. We report the first results obtained with this neutron detector. From developments made in view of the ROSEBUD (Rare Objects SEarch with Bolometers UndergrounD) collaboration we suggest a possible further improvement of the neutron detector by employing a combined heat and light detection. In the case of dark matter experiments, such a detector would allow to monitor the ...

New developments in the McStas neutron instrument simulation package

The McStas neutron ray-tracing software package is a versatile tool for building accurate simulators of neutron scattering instruments at reactors, short- and long-pulsed spallation sources such as the European Spallation Source. McStas is extensively used for design and optimization of instruments, virtual experiments, data analysis and user training. McStas was founded as a scientific, open-source collaborative code in 1997. This contribution presents the project at its current state and gives an overview of the main new developments in McStas 2.0 (December 2012) and McStas 2.1 (expected fall 2013), including many new components, component parameter uniformisation, partial loss of backward compatibility, updated source brilliance descriptions, developments toward new tools and user interfaces, web interfaces and a new method for estimating beam losses and background from neutron optics.

Application of the MCNPX-McStas interface for shielding calculations and guide design at ESS

Recently, an interface between the Monte Carlo code MCNPX and the neutron ray-tracing code MCNPX was developed [1, 2]. Based on the expected neutronic performance and guide geometries relevant for the ESS, the combined MCNPX-McStas code is used to calculate dose rates along neutron beam guides. The generation and moderation of neutrons is simulated using a full scale MCNPX model of the ESS target monolith. Upon entering the neutron beam extraction region, the individual neutron states are handed to McStas via the MCNPX-McStas interface. McStas transports the neutrons through the beam guide, and by using newly developed event logging capability, the neutron state parameters corresponding to un-reflected neutrons are recorded at each scattering. This information is handed back to MCNPX where it serves as neutron source input for a second MCNPX simulation. This simulation enables calculation of dose rates in the vicinity of the guide. In addition the logging mechanism is employed to record the scatterings along the guides which is exploited to simulate the supermirror quality requirements (i.e. m-values) needed at different positions along the beam guide to transport neutrons in the same guide/source setup.

Variable focusing system for neutrons

We have developed a variable focusing system for neutrons that allows varying the vertical and horizontal beam size at the sample position independently. It is based on a focusing parabolic neutron guide coated with supermirror m = 6 times the critical angle of reflection of Ni. The divergence of the incident beam is adjusted by solid-state collimators with horizontally and vertically arranged absorbing blades. The performance of the prototype set-up has been benchmarked at the beamline BOA at SINQ confirming the expected behavior. In particular we show that the beam size at the sample position can be varied between 0.6 and 2 mm without exchanging the focusing guide or by introducing a beam-defining aperture between the exit of the guide and the sample, i.e. the beam size can be adapted more than half a meter away from the sample.

Neutron-Use Optimization with Virtual Experiments to Facilitate Research-Reactor Conversion to Low-Enriched Fuel

Converting research reactors from highly enriched uranium (HEU) fuel to more proliferation-resistant low-enriched fuel is critical for achieving the objective of ending the use of directly weapon-usable materials in the civilian nuclear fuel cycle. The most challenging type of reactors to convert are high-flux research reactors, which, along with upcoming strong spallation sources, are the most important neutron sources for sophisticated neutron scattering experiments. Advanced Monte-Carlo computer codes are now available that make it possible to track neutrons from the neutron source, through neutron guides, to the detector of a neutronic experimental setup, including realistic samples. These “virtual experiments” allow optimizing the performance of complete beamlines, where in many cases a large unused potential exists for increasing the neutron flux at the sample or detector position. The Monte-Carlo codes VITESS and McStas are used to compare results for typical neutron scattering setups using typical versus state-of-the-art technologies. The analysis shows that performance gains due to instrument upgrades or neutron guide renewals can dwarf potential neutron flux losses due to conversion to low-enriched fuel. Combined convert-and-upgrade strategies therefore offer unique opportunities for reactor operators and neutron scientists to significantly improve the overall performance of research facilities, and turn them into centers of excellence, while supporting the objective of phasing out the use of highly enriched uranium in the civilian nuclear fuel cycle as soon as possible.