Polaris neutron microscope: Performing faster measurements

British engineers built a neutron microscope, allowing scientists to make measurements 30 times faster than any existing (other) measuring device.

"Polaris" neutron microscope (worth about £ 4 million), installed at ISIS Neutron Research Center, under the Science Council and Technology Utilities, on last Friday, it could be help analyze materials at the molecular level, for the purpose of researching drug preparation as well as manufacturing electronic components.

This neutron microscope uses a larger array of neutron detectors than previously used technology to study the structure of a material (on a nanometer scale), which deflects particles high speed.

"One of the biggest challenges is integrating all neutron detectors into the vacuum flask (maybe 20m ³ )," said David McPhail, one of the engineers working at the Science and Technology Council. Technology utility, who has been involved in the design and construction of "Polaris" neutron microscope for more than 5 years.

When neutrons touch the specimen, these neutrons will radiate in all directions, before scientists have to move neutron detectors around to try to capture them. However, now with larger coverage (using a larger array with more neutron detectors), these neutrons will find themselves to neutron detectors.

Neutron detectors are effective in converting neutrons into photons, which will be transmitted, through "coding at each pair of optical fibers" after which the encoded photons are collected and transferred. changed into electronic signals.

"We have to place all of these neutron detectors in a very small space; besides having to install hundreds of kilometers of completely straight fiber optic cables (because if the fiber optic cable is bent too much, it will lose credit. ").

"To do this, the design of the" Polaris "neutron microscope is divided into different modules and the simulation is used to determine the ideal location of the detectors inside each module. Great efforts of engineers and scientists, to manipulate in a too small space, " according to McPhail.

Because each neutron detector must recognize the direction that neutrons are traveling, these neutron detectors must be built in a variety of designs, so studies have used 3D CAD modeling and manufacturing. a laser sintering admixture to produce different molds on demand at affordable prices.

"We use" Polaris "neutron microscope, to: perform 30 times faster measurements and track chemical reactions in real time, approaching new areas of science," said Tien. Dr. Stephen Hull, a leading researcher in this project.

Application of "Polaris" neutron microscope includes: improving the performance of laptops and mobile phone batteries; recognize how drugs (in different doses) interact with pathogenic molecules in the body like Alzheimer's disease (dementia) and develop magnetic materials that can be used to improve computer memory.