Sensitive neutron transverse polarization analysis using a 3He spin filter

Jau, Y. -Y.; Chen, W. C.; Gentile, T. R.; Hussey, D. S.

doi:10.1063/5.0005898

Sensitive neutron transverse polarization analysis using a ³He spin filter

Journal Article · Wed Jul 08 00:00:00 EDT 2020 · Review of Scientific Instruments

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0005898· OSTI ID:1670722

^[1]; Chen, W. C. ^[2]; Gentile, T. R. ^[2]; ^[2]

Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
National Inst. of Standards and Technology (NIST), Gaithersburg, MD (United States)

Here we report an experimental implementation for neutron transverse polarization analysis that is capable of detecting a small angular change ($$\ll$$10^–3 rad) in neutron spin orientation. This approach is demonstrated for monochromatic beams, and we show that it could be extended to polychromatic neutron beams. Our approach employs a ³He spin filter inside a solenoid with an analyzing direction perpendicular to the incident neutron polarization direction. The method was tested with polarized neutron beams and a spin rotator placed inside a μ-metal shield just upstream of the analyzer. No cryogenic superconducting shields or additional neutron spin manipulations are needed. With a counting detector, we experimentally show that the angular resolution $δ θ = 1 / (P_{n} A \sqrt{N})$ rad is only determined by the counting statistics for the total counts N and the product of the neutron polarization P_n and the analyzing power A. With a high-flux neutron beam, 10^–6 rad angular sensitivity is feasible within a day. This simple, classical-quantum-limited transverse polarization analysis scheme may reduce the overall complexity of experimental implementation for applications requiring sensitive neutron polarimetry and improve the precision in fundamental science studies and polarized neutron imaging.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA); USDOE Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) Program; National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC04-94AL85000; NA0003525

OSTI ID:: 1670722

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1637728

Report Number(s):: SAND--2020-0251J; 681811

Journal Information:: Review of Scientific Instruments, Journal Name: Review of Scientific Instruments Journal Issue: 7 Vol. 91; ISSN 0034-6748

Publisher:: American Institute of Physics (AIP)Copyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Sensitive neutron transverse polarization analysis using a 3He spin filter

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Sensitive neutron transverse polarization analysis using a ³He spin filter