Neutron depolarization study of ferromagnetic domain structures

Applied Science

Neutron Larmor diffraction with double and single precession arm

A review is given of double and single arm Larmor diffraction. With the former a lattice-spacing resolution down to 10-6 can be obtained. The latter is a good high-resolution alternative if the sample or sample environment disturbs the magnetic field, e.g. ferromagnetic samples or applied magnetic fields. By choosing the tilt angle of the precession fields the optimum resolution can be set at a scattering angle at choice. The resolution for both single-crystal and polycrystalline samples is discussed in depth and is compared with conventional neutron-diffraction techniques.RST/Neutron and Positron Methods in MaterialsBedrijfsondersteunin

Larmor neutron diffraction with one precession arm

A new variant of Larmor neutron diffraction, applying only a single precession arm in the initial beam, is proposed. The single arm, together with the polarizer and analyser and possible rotators, are mounted in front of the sample. The great advantage with respect to the case with another precession arm in the reflected beam is that magnetic samples can now be investigated, because depolarization and the Larmor phase change of the beam polarization in the sample after the analyser is no longer of importance for diffraction analysis. The application has lower resolution than the double-arm precession geometry, but is still better than conventional diffraction instruments. The differences will be discussed.RST/Radiation, Science and TechnologyApplied Science

Manifestation of the geometric phase in neutron spin-echo experiments

We show how the geometric (Berry’s) phase becomes manifest on adiabatic rotation of the polarization vector in the magnetic field configuration in the arms in a neutron spin echo (NSE) experiment.When the neutron beam used is monochromatic, a geometric phase collected in one spin-echo arm can be exactly compensated in the other arm either by an opposite geometrical rotation or by adding/subtracting a dynamic (Larmor) phase. This is not possible in a white beam, because, contrary to the dynamic phase, the geometric phase is independent of wavelength. Therefore, the NSE pattern can be disturbed. We demonstrate that adiabatic resonant spin flippers inherently produce a geometric phase which can influence the performance of NSE setups based on such flippers. This effect can be avoided by a proper mutual symmetry of the gradient fields in these flippers.Radiation, Radionuclides and ReactorsApplied Science

Neutron spin turners with a rotating magnetic field: First experiments

Applied Science