Speaker
Description
Neutron reflectometry is a powerful technique for studying the structure of surfaces and interfaces at the nanometer. The useful properties of neutrons allows for isotopic contrast variation in multi-component systems and being able to investigate phenomena under a wide variety of sample environments. At the OPAL Research Reactor there is currently one operating neutron reflectometer – PLATYPUS, however demand is sufficient that a second is needed. In September 2015, an agreement was signed between HZB and ANSTO to transfer the V18 ‘BioRef’ time-of-flight neutron reflectometer [1], previously situated at the 10 MW BER-II Research Reactor, to the OPAL Research Reactor. During 2016, a joint team of ANSTO and HZB personnel carefully disassembled BioRef and packed it into shipping containers for transport to ANSTO. BioRef arrived at ANSTO in early 2017 and is known as SPATZ (German for Sparrow) and will be the 15th neutron-scattering instrument at OPAL.
SPATZ has a vertical sample geometry, which complements PLATYPUS with its horizontal sample geometry. The vertical sample geometry will allow for use of sample environments which cannot be currently used on PLATYPUS due to geometry constraints and allows for wide-angle diffraction from multilayers and lamellar stacks. SPATZ will also be equipped for simultaneous infra-red spectroscopy and reflectometry experiments.
The instrument views the OPAL cold neutron source (CNS) by taking the end position of the CG2B guide, which has recently been installed.
SPATZ is scheduled to start hot commissioning in October/November 2018 and start user experiments in early 2019. This presentation will provide an overview of the project, its current status, and future direction. Feedback from the neutron user community is encouraged.
[1] M. Strobl et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 82, 055101 (2011)
| Topic | Neutron Instruments & Techniques |
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