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Neutron optics of the PSI ultracold-neutron source: characterization and simulation

  • Special Article – New Tools and Techniques
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Abstract

The ultracold-neutron (UCN) source at the Paul Scherrer Institute serves mainly experiments in fundamental physics. High UCN intensities are the key for progress and success in such experiments. A detailed understanding of all source parameters is required for future improvements. Here we present the UCN source components, elements of the neutron optics, the characterization of important related parameters like emptying times, storage times and transmission probabilities of UCNs, which are ultimately defining the UCN intensity delivered at the beamports. We also introduce a detailed simulation model of the PSI UCN source, used to analyze the measurements and to extract surface parameters. This work illustrates the successful construction and operation of a large-scale facility delivering high UCN count rate. The observed characteristics of many neutron-optics parameters has been successfully simulated in a detailed Monte-Carlo model implemented in the MCUCN code.

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Data Availability Statement

This manuscript has no associated data or the data will not be deposited. [Authors’ comment: Data are too large to be deposited. Data are available from authors on reasonable request.]

Notes

  1. S-DH GmbH Heidelberg Hans-Bunte-Str. 8–10, 69123 Heidelberg, Germany, http://www.s-dh.de.

  2. Fraunhofer-Institut für Werkstoff- und Strahltechnik, Fraunhofer Projektgruppe at the Dortmunder Oberflächenzentrum, Eberhardstrasse 12, 44120 Dortmund, Germany, http://www.iws.fraunhofer.de.

  3. SCHOTT AG, Hattenbergstr. 10, 55122 Mainz, Germany.

  4. VAT Group AG, Seelistr. 1, CH-9469 Haag, Switzerland.

  5. CDT CASCADE Detector Technologies GmbH, Hans-Bunte-Str. 8-10, D-69123 Heidelberg, Germany.

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Acknowledgements

All people who have been contributing to the design and the construction of the PSI UCN source are gratefully acknowledged. The outstanding continuous technical support of M. Meier and F. Burri is acknowledged. We are grateful to the BSQ group operating the UCN source, namely P. Erisman, R. Erne, K. Geissmann, A. Kalt, T. Hofmann, J. Welte and D. Viol. Operations support by A. Anghel is appreciated. We acknowledge the excellent support by the PSI proton accelerator operations section, especially A. Mezger and D. Reggiani, and the target group of M. Wohlmuther and V. Talanov, and the excellent support by many other PSI support groups. Personal efforts and support of P. Bucher, U. Bugmann, M. Dänzer, J. Ehrat, A. Fuchs, A. Gnädinger, A. Hirt, M. Horisberger, B. Jehle, R. Käch, R. Knecht, M. Koller, M. Mähr, O. Morath, M. Müller, W. Pfister, P. Rüttimann, R. Schelldorfer, T. Stapf and C. Stettler are acknowledged. This work was supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation Projects \(200020\_137664\) and \(200020\_149813\), \(200020\_163413\). Special thanks for granting access to the PL-Grid [67].

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  1. D. Ries

    Present address: Department of Chemistry – TRIGA site, Johannes Gutenberg University, D-55138, Mainz, Germany

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Paul Scherrer Institut (PSI), CH-5232, Villigen, Switzerland

    G. Bison, B. Blau, M. Daum, L. Göltl, R. Henneck, K. Kirch, B. Lauss, D. Ries, P. Schmidt-Wellenburg & G. Zsigmond

  2. ETH Zürich, CH-8093, Zurich, Switzerland

    K. Kirch & D. Ries

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  1. G. Bison
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Bison, G., Blau, B., Daum, M. et al. Neutron optics of the PSI ultracold-neutron source: characterization and simulation. Eur. Phys. J. A 56, 33 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1140/epja/s10050-020-00027-w

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