Towards a detailed resolution smearing kernel for time-of-flight neutron reflectometers
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2013-10-01
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Wiley Blackwell
Abstract
In this article a `detailed' form of the resolution kernel used to analyse data from reactor-based time-of-flight (TOF) neutron reflectometers is derived. In contrast to monochromatic neutron reflectometers, where the resolution kernel is close to Gaussian, TOF neutron reflectometers can have trapezoidal resolution kernels. This is a consequence of the disc chopper systems used to pulse the beam having a wavelength uncertainty that is rectangular in shape. The effect of using the detailed and approximate kernels is compared, with the main effects occurring where the width of the kernel is approximately the same as the width of the features in the reflectivity curve, i.e. around the critical edge and at high Qz. The difference between the two kernels is greatest when the wavelength and angular components are of different sizes. © 2013, Wiley-Blackwell.
Description
Keywords
Neutron reflectors, Time-of-flight spectrometers, Resolution, Neutrons, Wavelengths, Reflectivity
Citation
Nelson, A. R. J. (2013). Towards a detailed resolution smearing kernel for time-of-flight neutron reflectometers. Journal of Applied Crystallography, 46(part 5), 1338-1346. doi:10.1107/S0021889813021936