MSEL, NIST Center for Neutron Research Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory NIST Center for Neutron Research National Institute of Standards and Technology
Home FANS-HOME Instruments Contacts SiteMap

FANS - The Design

The new Filter Analyzer Neutron Spectrometer is being built in two phases. In phase I, which has been completed, the smaller wedge was constructed and placed on the moving arm of the old BT-4 instrument. After a testing period, during which the triple-axis part of the instrument will remain operational, the second, larger wedge will be built and placed with the first one on an air pad equipped undercarriage. At that time the sophisticated double focusing monochromators will also be installed.



FANS IMAGE



The sample table and the pie-shaped filter-detector assembly pivot about the monochromator axis as the neutron scattering angle is scanned between 40 and 115 degrees. In phase-II the filter-detector assembly will consist of two wedges spanning the total of 230 degrees. Thus, neutrons scattered by the sample will be detected in a much larger solid angle (compared to the old BT-4 spectrometer), resulting in a substantial increase of instrument sensitivity. Sophisticated focusing monochromators maintain high neutron intensity for all incident energies.



FANS Instrument Top View






The side view cross-section through the filter-detector assembly shows blocks of polycrystalline beryllium and graphite which diffract all neutrons with energies above 1.8 meV, as well as the removable bismuth filter. A significant improvement in background was achieved by placing a second Be filter after the graphite one. All filters are cooled to 77 K to reduce thermal diffuse scattering. Radial and vertical collimators are used to capture any neutrons not traveling on a line joining the sample with a detector. Filter sections are also separated by absorbing material, again intended to capture any Bragg diffracted neutrons.



FANS Instrument Side View






The five principal components of the filter carriage: 1st beryllium section (nearest in view), graphite section, collimators, 2nd beryllium section, and the detector bank (with 48 He3 detectors).



FANS filter components






The comparison between the old BT-4 instrument detector bank and the new FANS Phase I wedge



detector banks - old and new





Instrument scientists
Craig M. Brown (301) 975 5134
Terry Udovic (301) 975 6241
Juscelino Lećo (301) 975 8867


Go to the NCNR home page.
Go to the NCNR Sample Environments page.
Go to the NCNR Cold Neutron Instruments page.
Go to the NCNR Thermal Neutron Instruments page.



Last modified 30-April-2004 by website owner: NCNR (attn: )