Effective brilliance amplification in neutron propagation-based phase contrast imaging

Propagation-based neutron phase-contrast tomography was demonstrated on an insect sample, using the ISIS pulsed spallation source. In our proof-of-concept low-fluence experiment the tomogram with Paganin-type phase-retrieval filter applied exhibited an effective net boost of $23\pm 1$ in the signal-to-noise ratio as compared to an attenuation-based tomogram, implying an effective boost in neutron brilliance of well over two orders of magnitude. The phase-retrieval filter applies to monochromatic as well as poly-energetic neutron beams. Expressions are provided for the optimal phase-contrast geometry as well as conditions for the validity of the method. The underpinning theory is derived under the assumption of the sample being composed of a single material, but this can be generalized. The effective boost in brilliance may be employed to give reduced acquisition time, or may instead be used to keep exposure times fixed while improving contrast and spatial resolution

First evaluation of a novel ionisation chamber for thermal neutron beam monitoring

The European Spallation Source ERIC (ESS), currently under construction in Lund, Sweden is a facility established to deliver the highest integrated neutron flux originating from a pulsed source with the aim of supporting an initial fifteen neutron instruments for cutting edge science experiments. This in turn requires reliable monitoring at complex neutron beam lines: in particular, linearity, timing capability, adaptability of the design for various flux ranges (dynamic range) and sensitivity to neutrons within the range of 0.6-10Å are expected from the neutron beam monitors to be installed at the ESS beam lines. Additionally, operational stability and low attenuation are also desirable characteristics for such neutron beam monitoring. A prototype neutron beam monitor based on the ionisation chamber principle and a boron converter, designed by CDT CASCADE Detector Technologies GmbH and ESS, has been investigated at the BER-II research reactor of Helmholtz Zentrum Berlin (HZB). The effort to design and investigate a thermal neutron ionisation beam monitor was initiated by adapting the concept of ionisation chambers previously known elsewhere. So far all the characterised neutron beam monitors discriminate neutron hits on a discrete event basis (pulse mode), whereas the beam monitor prototype introduced in this paper estimates the total flux as a function of current (current mode). While most other neutron beam monitoring devices and detectors rely upon a signal amplifying gain stage, the ionisation chamber operates without any gain and is consequently robust against typical detector ageing effects that compromise the sensitivity over time. The initial tests were performed at the ESS V20 test beam line under realistic conditions resembling those of the future pulses of ESS. The linearity is demonstrated for 3Å pulses in the flux range of 2-3 × 105 n/s/cm2 and for white pulses (0.6-10Å) in the range of 1-5 × 106 n/s/cm2. The timing behaviour resembles the data previously recorded at the V20 beam lines. This novel implementation of a neutron sensitive ionisation chamber shows great promise for beam monitoring and diagnostics at ESS. As the ionisation beam monitor itself is an entirely passive device, it is adequately robust to be employed in areas of high irradiation where no regular servicing or maintenance can be provided

Time-of-Flight Three Dimensional Neutron Diffraction in Transmission Mode for Mapping Crystal Grain Structures

The physical properties of polycrystalline materials depend on their microstructure, which is the nano-to centimeter scale arrangement of phases and defects in their interior. Such microstructure depends on the shape, crystallographic phase and orientation, and interfacing of the grains constituting the material. This article presents a new non-destructive 3D technique to study centimeter-sized bulk samples with a spatial resolution of hundred micrometers: time-of-flight three-dimensional neutron diffraction (ToF 3DND). Compared to existing analogous X-ray diffraction techniques, ToF 3DND enables studies of samples that can be both larger in size and made of heavier elements. Moreover, ToF 3DND facilitates the use of complicated sample environments. The basic ToF 3DND setup, utilizing an imaging detector with high spatial and temporal resolution, can easily be implemented at a time-of-flight neutron beamline. The technique was developed and tested with data collected at the Materials and Life Science Experimental Facility of the Japan Proton Accelerator Complex (J-PARC) for an iron sample. We successfully reconstructed the shape of 108 grains and developed an indexing procedure. The reconstruction algorithms have been validated by reconstructing two stacked Co-Ni-Ga single crystals, and by comparison with a grain map obtained by post-mortem electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD)

Martensite stabilization in shape memory alloys - Experimental evidence for short-range ordering

Thermal stabilization of martensite in shape memory alloys is known to strongly affect functional properties due to changes in transformation temperatures. As martensite stabilization in many alloys proceeds in an uncontrollable fashion, it has been treated as a detrimental mechanism in the past. In a recent study it was found that martensite stabilization can be controlled by aging of stress-induced martensite, allowing development of a new class of high-temperature shape memory alloys. Symmetry-conforming adaptation of short-range order during thermal treatment has been stated to be the mechanism responsible for this phenomenon. However, direct experimental evidence for changes in short-range ordering has not been presented. The current study has been conducted in order to fill this gap. A Co–Ni–Ga shape memory alloy has been studied by neutron diffraction in different conditions, i.e. as-grown austenite, quenched martensite, heat-treated austenite and stabilized stress-induced martensite. The results obtained unequivocally reveal that martensite stabilization is triggered by a chemical disordering mechanism. Thus, the concept of symmetry-conforming short-range order proposed 1997 by Ren and Otsuka has finally found experimental verification for a Co–Ni–Ga alloy

Martensite stabilization in shape memory alloys - Experimental evidence for short-range ordering

Thermal stabilization of martensite in shape memory alloys is known to strongly affect functional properties due to changes in transformation temperatures. As martensite stabilization in many alloys proceeds in an uncontrollable fashion, it has been treated as a detrimental mechanism in the past. In a recent study it was found that martensite stabilization can be controlled by aging of stress-induced martensite, allowing development of a new class of high-temperature shape memory alloys. Symmetry-conforming adaptation of short-range order during thermal treatment has been stated to be the mechanism responsible for this phenomenon. However, direct experimental evidence for changes in short-range ordering has not been presented. The current study has been conducted in order to fill this gap. A Co–Ni–Ga shape memory alloy has been studied by neutron diffraction in different conditions, i.e. as-grown austenite, quenched martensite, heat-treated austenite and stabilized stress-induced martensite. The results obtained unequivocally reveal that martensite stabilization is triggered by a chemical disordering mechanism. Thus, the concept of symmetry-conforming short-range order proposed 1997 by Ren and Otsuka has finally found experimental verification for a Co–Ni–Ga alloy

In situ neutron diffraction analyzing stress-induced phase transformation and martensite elasticity in [001]-oriented Co49Ni21Ga30 shape memory alloy single crystals

Recent studies demonstrated excellent pseudoelastic behavior and cyclic stability under compressive loads in [001]-oriented Co–Ni–Ga high-temperature shape memory alloys (HT-SMAs). A narrow stress hysteresis was related to suppression of detwinning at RT and low defect formation during phase transformation due to the absence of a favorable slip system. Eventually, this behavior makes Co–Ni–Ga HT-SMAs promising candidates for several industrial applications. However, deformation behavior of Co–Ni–Ga has only been studied in the range of theoretical transformation strain in depth so far. Thus, the current study focuses not only on the activity of elementary deformation mechanisms in the pseudoelastic regime up to maximum theoretical transformation strains but far beyond. It is shown that the martensite phase is able to withstand about 5% elastic strain, which significantly increases the overall deformation capability of this alloy system. In situ neutron diffraction experiments were carried out using a newly installed testing setup on Co–Ni–Ga single crystals in order to reveal the nature of the stress–strain response seen in the deformation curves up to 10% macroscopic strain

In situ neutron diffraction analyzing stress-induced phase transformation and martensite elasticity in [001]-oriented Co49Ni21Ga30 shape memory alloy single crystals

Recent studies demonstrated excellent pseudoelastic behavior and cyclic stability under compressive loads in [001]-oriented Co–Ni–Ga high-temperature shape memory alloys (HT-SMAs). A narrow stress hysteresis was related to suppression of detwinning at RT and low defect formation during phase transformation due to the absence of a favorable slip system. Eventually, this behavior makes Co–Ni–Ga HT-SMAs promising candidates for several industrial applications. However, deformation behavior of Co–Ni–Ga has only been studied in the range of theoretical transformation strain in depth so far. Thus, the current study focuses not only on the activity of elementary deformation mechanisms in the pseudoelastic regime up to maximum theoretical transformation strains but far beyond. It is shown that the martensite phase is able to withstand about 5% elastic strain, which significantly increases the overall deformation capability of this alloy system. In situ neutron diffraction experiments were carried out using a newly installed testing setup on Co–Ni–Ga single crystals in order to reveal the nature of the stress–strain response seen in the deformation curves up to 10% macroscopic strain