Wide Angle Spherical Neutron Polarimetry at Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Spherical Neutron Polarimetry (SNP) analyzes complex magnetic structures through distinguishing contributions from nuclear-magnetic interference and chiral structure in addition to nuclear magnetic scattering separation. This analysis is achieved through determining all components in the polarization transfer process. The SNP device consists of three units: incoming/outgoing neutron polarization, sample environment and a zero-field chamber. The incoming/outgoing neutron polarization regions use high- superconducting YBCO films and mu-metal to achieve full control of neutron polarization. The sample environment is an orange cryostat with a customized tail piece placed into the zero-field chamber. The device has been tested at the university of missouri research reactor (MURR) and at HYSPEC. While both experiments were fruitful, the testing at HYSPEC yielded more insight into improving the device and guiding the design. It is important to note that the testing at HYSPEC utilized HYSPEC as a triple-axis spectrometer. Upgrades to the device have been designed and are being fabricated while further testing has been designated for early 2021.