Skip to main content

LUP Student Papers

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

The Development of a Model for Determining the Spatial Resolution of Pulsed-Neutron Sources

Byrnes, Michael LU (2022) FYSK02 20212
Nuclear physics
Department of Physics
Abstract
This project entails the development of a model for determining the spatial resolution in scanning applications of pulsed-neutron sources, such as at the European Spallation Source (ESS). The development of this model involves the simplification of the problem of representing a pulse neutron scanning across a sample by approximating the pulsed neutron beam as a continuous laser beam scanning across a one dimensional object of known dimensions. The model was then experimentally verified using an optical bench setup at ESS Utgård. The ultimate goal of this project was to accurately achieve a specified spatial resolution in a time-efficient manner.
Popular Abstract
Currently under construction in Lund, Sweden is the the European Spallation Source, (ESS). ESS will be a pulsed neutron source. Neutrons are particles with no charge, found in the nucleus of an atom. Due to the lack of charge, neutrons are a useful particle to probe material properties as they can penetrate to the centre of an atom and scatter from its nucleus. Using this property the physical features of the sample can be resolved. The neutron beams are pulsed due to the generation method
and the pulsing is a feature that can be taken advantage of.

This thesis involved the development of a model for the neutron beam produced, which can then be used to determine the time required to detect physical features of sample of a minimum size.... (More)
Currently under construction in Lund, Sweden is the the European Spallation Source, (ESS). ESS will be a pulsed neutron source. Neutrons are particles with no charge, found in the nucleus of an atom. Due to the lack of charge, neutrons are a useful particle to probe material properties as they can penetrate to the centre of an atom and scatter from its nucleus. Using this property the physical features of the sample can be resolved. The neutron beams are pulsed due to the generation method
and the pulsing is a feature that can be taken advantage of.

This thesis involved the development of a model for the neutron beam produced, which can then be used to determine the time required to detect physical features of sample of a minimum size. This model was then corroborated using an experimental setup consisting of a continuous wave laser beam, (CW). To represent a constant neutron beam. The models created were then fitted to the experimental data to determine the model parameters of the beam. The next stages were taken to the further develop this model, by pulsing the laser beam in the experimental setup to represent the pulsed neutron beam using a chopper, a rotating disc with a cutout that periodically blocks the beam.

At the end of this thesis the next stages of improving the model and the experiment are laid out to continue the development of this model to be used at the pulsed neutron source, ESS. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Byrnes, Michael LU
supervisor
organization
course
FYSK02 20212
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
language
English
id
9078641
date added to LUP
2022-04-22 13:59:22
date last changed
2022-04-22 13:59:22
@misc{9078641,
  abstract     = {{This project entails the development of a model for determining the spatial resolution in scanning applications of pulsed-neutron sources, such as at the European Spallation Source (ESS). The development of this model involves the simplification of the problem of representing a pulse neutron scanning across a sample by approximating the pulsed neutron beam as a continuous laser beam scanning across a one dimensional object of known dimensions. The model was then experimentally verified using an optical bench setup at ESS Utgård. The ultimate goal of this project was to accurately achieve a specified spatial resolution in a time-efficient manner.}},
  author       = {{Byrnes, Michael}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{The Development of a Model for Determining the Spatial Resolution of Pulsed-Neutron Sources}},
  year         = {{2022}},
}