PLATYPUS - the time-of-flight neutron reflectometer at Australia’s New 20 MW OPAL research reactor
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Date
2006-12-05
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Australian Institute of Physics
Abstract
Neutron reflectometry is used to probe the structure of surfaces, thin-films or buried interfaces as well as nanoscale processes occurring at them. Applications cover nanostructured magnetic thin films, electrochemical and catalytic interfaces, adsorbed surfactant layers, self-assembled monolayers, biological membranes, polymer coatings and photosensitive films. Contrast variation and selective deuteration of hydrogenous materials are important aspects of the neutron-based technique. Neutron reflectometry probes the structure of materials normal to the surface at depths of up to several thousand Å, with a depth resolution of a few Å. A time-of-flight neutron reflectometer (PLATYPUS) is under construction at Australia’s new 20 MW OPAL research reactor at Lucas Heights (due for completion in 2007). PLATYPUS has been designed to study nanoscale films on solid and free-liquid surfaces. Magnetic materials can be examined using a polarized beam option, while in-plane structures can be studied by off-specular scattering using a 2-dimensional helium-3 detector. Kinetic studies will also be possible due to a disc chopper system that offers the possibility of tailoring the resolution of the instrument to suit the lengthscales of interest. In this presentation we report the design, specifications and results of commissioning experiments of the PLATYPUS neutron reflectometer.
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Keywords
Neutron reflectors, Australia, OPAL Reactor, ANSTO, Thin films, Nanostructures, Deuteration
Citation
James, M., Nelson, A., Brûlé, A., & Hamilton, W. (2006). PLATYPUS - the time-of-flight neutron reflectometer at Australia’s New 20 MW OPAL research reactor. Poster presented at the Australian Institute of Physics 17th National Congress 2006, Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Brisbane Australia, Sunday 3 - Friday 8 December 2006. Retrieved from: https://www.aip.org.au/resources/Documents/Congress/AIPCongress-2006-Program.pdf