NGS Operations

Ancillary Equipment Publications

Sample Environments at the Intense Pulsed Neutron Source

D. E. Bohringer and K. J. Volin
Argonne National Laboratory, USA

Presented at ICANS XIV, Starved Rock, IL, June 1998.

ABSTRACT

Neutron diffraction is a powerful tool for structural studies of samples in special sample environments because of the high penetrating power of neutrons compared to x-rays. The Intense Pulsed Neutron Source (IPNS) at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) offers its users a variety of sample environments for pulsed neutron scattering and diffraction experiments. At the present time over 80% of all experiments performed at the IPNS involve some type of ancillary equipment to control the sample environment. These include closed-cycle refrigerators, cryostats, furnaces, magnets, and pressure cells. There are also devices for automatic sample changing, positioning, and orientating. Most instruments have at a minimum, a dedicated closed cycle refrigerator (10K to RT) configured for the instrument’s typical sample dimensions and scattering angles. Standardization in instrument sample well dimensions, process control equipment, and control software has made multi-instrument use of many of the furnaces and cryostats possible. General use, multi-instrument equipment is maintained by the facility’s technical staff. Instrument dedicated equipment is maintained by the respective instrument scientist with help from the ancillary equipment group. The design and upgrading of equipment is done by the ancillary equipment engineer with the oversight and input of instrument scientists, instrument engineer, and technical staff. Ancillary equipment conception and design is science driven, with the instrument scientists and even users providing the initial input for design criteria.

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Address any questions, comments, or suggestions concerning this site to Ken Volin (kvolin@anl.gov)