New material boosts neutron imaging, cuts magnetic field needs by 99%
Scientists have engineered a new type of optical material that dramatically improves neutron-based imaging and measurement—a critical tool for materials research, drug development, and industrial quality control. The breakthrough requires far less magnetic power to operate and produces clearer, more accurate results, potentially making neutron facilities more accessible and cost-effective for researchers worldwide.
Originaltitel: Reflective, polarizing, and magnetically soft amorphous neutron optics with <sup>11</sup>B-enriched B<sub>4</sub>C
<p>The utilization of polarized neutrons is of great importance in scientific disciplines spanning materials science, physics, biology, and chemistry. However, state-of-the-art multilayer polarizing neutron optics have limitations, particularly low specular reflectivity and polarization at higher scattering vectors/angles, and the requirement of high external magnetic fields to saturate the polarizer magnetization. Here, we show that, by incorporating <sup>11</sup>B<sub>4</sub>C into Fe/Si multilayers, amorphization and smooth interfaces can be achieved, yielding higher neutron reflectivity, less diffuse scattering, and higher polarization. Magnetic coercivity is eliminated, and magnetic saturation can be reached at low external fields (>2 militesla). This approach offers prospects for substantial improvement in polarizing neutron optics with nonintrusive positioning of the polarizer, enhanced flux, increased data accuracy, and further polarizing/analyzing methods at neutron scattering facilities.</p>