Abstract
The Extended Q-Range Small Angle Neutron Scattering Diffractometer (EQ-SANS) at the Spallation Neutron Source is designed to have wide neutron momentum transfer (Q) coverage, high neutron beam intensity, and good wavelength resolution. In addition, the design and construction of the instrument aim at achieving maximum signal to noise ratio by minimizing the background. The instrument is located on the 60Hz SNS target. It has a primary flight path of 14m. Its secondary flight path varies from ~1m to 10m. One of the key components in the primary flight path is the neutron optics, consisting of a true-curved multi channel beam bender and sections of neutron guides. The optics is optimized to reduce the neutron transport loss to a minimum, thereby maximizing the available flux on sample. It also enables the avoidance of the direct line of sight of the neutron moderator at downstream locations. The instrument has three bandwidth-limiting choppers. These choppers effectively eliminate higher frame neutrons up to ~38Å from the beam. A frame overlap mirror further cleans up the beam by reflecting out neutrons whose wavelengths are longer than ~33Å. The bandwidth choppers also allow a frame-skipping mode of operation, which enables the EQ-SANS diffractometer to achieve a dynamic Q-range equivalent to that of a similar machine on a 20Hz source. The two-dimensional low-angle detector, based on 3He tube technologies, offers very high counting rates and counting efficiency. Initial operations have shown that the instrument has achieved its best-in-class design requirement.
