Inelastic neutron scattering spectrometer and its applications

Inelastic neutron scattering is a pivotal technique in materials science and physics research, revealing the microscopic dynamic properties of materials by observing the changes in energy and momentum of neutrons interacting with matter. This technique provides important information for quantitatively describing the phonon dispersion and magnetic excitation of materials. Inelastic neutron scattering spectrometers can be divided into triple-axis spectrometers and time-of-flight spectrometers, according to the method of selecting monochromatic neutrons. The former has high signal-to-noise ratio, flexibility, and precise tracking capabilities for specific measurement points, while the latter significantly improves experimental efficiency through various measures. The application of inelastic neutron scattering spectrometers is quite extensive, playing an indispensable role in advancing frontier scientific research in the study of mechanisms in various materials such as magnetism, superconductivity, thermoelectrics, and catalysis. The high-energy inelastic spectrometer at the China Spallation Neutron Source is the first time-of-flight neutron inelastic spectrometer in China, achieving high resolution and multi-energy coexistence with its innovative Fermi chopper design. Additionally, the number of available single neutron beams in the experiment of this facility has reached the international leading level.