Neutron Physics Laboratory Řež and its instrumentation for investigation of materials structure and microstructure

Pavel Strunz

Nuclear Physics Institute of the CAS, Řež 130, 25068 Řež, Czech Republic

Neutron Physics Laboratory (NPL) of CANAM infrastructure (operated by Nuclear Physics Institute Řež), canam.ujf.cas.cz/npl, and its instrumentation for investigation of structure and microstructure of advanced materials will be presented. NPL consist of five neutron diffractometers (residual stress scanning, powder diffraction, small-angle neutron scattering, in-situ thermomechanical tests and neutron-optics testing diffractometers) and of three nuclear analytical techniques (Neutron Depth Profiling, Prompt Gamma Activation Analysis, Neutron Activation Analysis). The layout is depicted in Fig. 1. The laboratory provides open access to academic users on the basis of proposals continuously evaluated by the international Scientific Selection Panel. In December 2022, NPL became the tenth member of the League of Advanced Neutron Sources (LENS). The LENS comprises European-level research facilities that support the international scientific community by providing access to instruments for, and/or expertise in, neutron science.

Recently, several instruments were upgraded by new neutron-optics components, by new sample environment, as well as by sample preparation and auxiliary facilities. The strain scanner was equipped by radial neutron collimator, SANS diffractometer by a new bending holder with long analyzer crystal. New portable neutron camera facilitates sample adjustment within sample environment. A system for concurrent in situ neutron diffraction, mechanical testing and acoustic emission detection was obtained. Nuclear analytical techniques were improved by supermirror neutron guide, by electrochemical impedance analyzer, by cryogenic mill and by electrical fusion furnace.

Selected examples from the studies with help of neutron physics facilities carried out at NPL will be presented: on Li depth distribution in thin Li-ion batteries, on the application of Neutron Activation Analysis, on deformation mechanisms in magnesium alloy, on mesoporous silica morphology, on complex metal oxides structure, and on residual stress in steel component fabricated by Selective Laser Melting.

Fig. 1: Layout of NPL facilities in the LVR-15 research reactor (operated by Research Centre Řež) hall.