https://doi.org/10.1051/epjconf/201921910006
A novel broad-band neutron spin filter based on dynamically polarized protons using photo-excited triplet states
Laboratory for Scientific Developments and Novel Materials (LDM), Paul Scherrer Institute, 5232 Villigen PSI, Switzerland
a e-mail: yifan.quan@psi.ch
b Now at: CSEM Neuchâtel, 2002 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
Published online: 12 December 2019
The use of polarized protons as a broad-band neutron spin filter is an attractive alternative to the well-established neutron polarization techniques, namely polarized 3He gas and super mirrors, since the spin-dependent neutron proton scattering cross-section is large in a broad wavelength range. We have developed a novel neutron spin filter where we create the necessary large proton polarization in a solid with a recent method of dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) that uses photo-excited triplet states. This requires only moderate experimental means and allows a compact design. In order to quantify the efficiency of the spin filter, we have measured the relevant spin-dependent and spin-independent terms of the neutron scattering cross-section of a naphthalene single crystal. The data allows to estimate the triplet spin filter performance over a broad wavelength range. With the recently achieved proton polarization of 80% the triplet filter compares well with a state of the art 3He filter.
© The Authors, published by EDP Sciences, 2019
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
