Simultaneous neutron transmission and diffraction contrast tomography as a non-destructive 3D method for bulk single crystal quality investigations
Traditional neutron tomography allows to reconstruct the attenuation cross section, a measure for the material distribution, at high spatial resolution and non-destructively. However, it does not state anything about the ordering structure of the atoms inside this material. In case of a single crystal sample, diffraction from the crystal lattice can also generate sample projections. Extending the setup with a second neutron imaging detector, these can be detected. Emerging iterative reconstruction techniques allow reconstructing the local Bragg reflectivity in the sample, a measure for the spatial distribution in crystal quality (orientation, homogeneity of phases). Simultaneous acquisition ensures optimal use of the neutron flux and a direct comparison of different sample properties.
In case multiple crystallites are present, diffraction projections are grouped depending on the crystallite of origin prior to reconstruction. Their position on the detector also reveals information on the crystallite orientation. A three-dimensional grain orientation map is obtained in a non-destructive way. Typical samples include tens of crystallites of low mosaicity and a few millimeters in size. See Analyst reference and hot topic in Analyst blog.
Publications
Simultaneous neutron transmission and diffraction contrast tomography as a non-destructive 3D method for bulk single crystal quality investigations
Peetermans, S. & Lehmann, E. H
Journal of Applied Physics, 114, 124905 (2013)
DOI: 10.1063/1.4823741
Copyright 2013 American Institute of Physics. This article may be downloaded for personal use only. Any other use requires prior permission of the author and the American Institute of Physics.
A double detector set-up for simultaneous transmission and diffraction neutron imaging
Peetermans, S. & Lehmann, E. H.
Physics Procedia, 43, 179-185 (2013)
DOI: 10.1016/j.phpro.2013.03.021 (open access)
Cold neutron diffraction contrast tomography of polycrystalline material
Peetermans, S.; King, A.; Ludwig, W.; Reischig, P. & Lehmann, E. H.
Analyst, 139, 5765-5771 (2014)
DOI: 10.1039/c4an01490a
Peetermans, S. & Lehmann, E. H
Journal of Applied Physics, 114, 124905 (2013)
DOI: 10.1063/1.4823741
Copyright 2013 American Institute of Physics. This article may be downloaded for personal use only. Any other use requires prior permission of the author and the American Institute of Physics.
A double detector set-up for simultaneous transmission and diffraction neutron imaging
Peetermans, S. & Lehmann, E. H.
Physics Procedia, 43, 179-185 (2013)
DOI: 10.1016/j.phpro.2013.03.021 (open access)
Cold neutron diffraction contrast tomography of polycrystalline material
Peetermans, S.; King, A.; Ludwig, W.; Reischig, P. & Lehmann, E. H.
Analyst, 139, 5765-5771 (2014)
DOI: 10.1039/c4an01490a