General refinement strategy for magnetic structures using spherical neutron polarimetry and representation analysis

Spherical neutron polarimetry (SNP) is a powerful technique for the determination of magnetic structures which may otherwise be intractable. The complexity of the neutron scattering process and the large number of different possible trial structures typically leads to refinements based on a simple trial and error generation of possible models and a possible failure to explore valid possible models. The combination of the model symmetry types determined from representational analysis and reverse-Monte Carlo refinement creates a generalized refinement strategy for SNP data that allows refinement in terms of symmetry adapted modes built up from the basis vectors that describe the orientations of the magnetic moments on the different magnetic sites, and those of the different domains that are possible in a sample: spin (S)-domains and K-domains. This methodology typically leads to a large reduction in the number of refined parameters as well as the rigorous inclusion of any symmetry related domains. In combination with reverse-Monte Carlo refinement algorithms a general strategy for refining complex magnetic structures can be created. We present an example of a frustrated magnetic structure that have been determined using this approach Er₂Ti₂O₇.     

Spherical neutron polarimetry applied to spin-echo and time-of-flight spectroscopy

The changes in direction of the neutron spin that take place on scattering by a magnetic interaction vector are highly dependent on their relative directions. In some circumstances, without zero-field polarimeter, it is impossible to distinguish between a simple depolarisation and a rotation of the polarisation vector.Motivated by the investigation of chiral magnetic fluctuations, we have implemented the third-generation zero-field polarimeter Cryopad on the neutron spin-echo spectrometer SPAN at the Helmholtz Centre Berlin (HCB). We present the method and the limitations of this novel technique that is now available on IN15 at the ILL.The huge progress accomplished with ³He neutron spin filters/flippers are going to facilitate the exploitation of polarised beams at spallation sources. Zero-field polarimeters like Cryopad are used routinely at several steady-state sources but their design would be inefficient at a pulse source. We have investigated the possibility to implement a zero-field polarimeter on a time-of-flight spectrometer. We propose a design that would lead to a better efficiency and present the finite element calculations.     

Noncommutation of Pauli spin operators in neutron polarimetry

A neutron spin polarimetric experiment is described which explicitly demonstrates the noncommutation properties of Pauli spin operators. Commutation of the sequential order of two successive π spin rotators leads to different final polarization states of the transmitted neutron beam. An interpretation of the observations is also given in terms of interference between two mutually orthogonal spin states that undergo different phase shifts upon the commutation of spin rotators.     

Measurement of the neutron electric form factor via recoil polarimetry

The ratio G _e ⁿ /G _m ⁿ of the electric to the magnetic form factor of the neutron has been measured by analyzing the polarization of the recoiling neutron in quasi-elastic scattering of longitudinally polarized electrons from deuterium at the Q ² values of 0.45, 1.15, and 1.47 (GeV/c)². The experiment has been performed in Hall C of the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility. With G _m ⁿ being known G _e ⁿ can be deduced. The preliminary results show that the lowest Q ² points follow the Galster parametrization and that the 1.47 (GeV/c)² point rises above this parametrization.Received: 30 September 2002, Published online: 22 October 2003PACS: 13.40.Gp Electromagnetic form factors - 14.20.Dh Protons and neutrons - 24.70. + s Polarization phenomena in reactions     

Magnetic properties of neutron matter

The energy of interacting neutron matter with spin polarization is calculated in Hartree-Fock approximation by the method of unitary transformations for a hard core and a soft core potential. In addition the magnetic spin susceptibility is given and the possibility of a ferromagnetic transition investigated. It is shown that the effect of the nuclear forces for all densities considered depresses the magnetic spin susceptibility relative to that of the corresponding ideal Fermi gas.     

Magnetic monopoles in neutron stars

The effects of monopole-antimonopole annihilation on a previously reported bound [1] on the product of the galactic flux of grand unified magnetic monopoles and the cross section for monopole catalyzed nucleon decay: (F_M/cm^?2s^?1sr^?1)(σ_ΔB/10^?2 cm²) ? 10^?22 are examined for several models of neutron star interiors. For neutron stars with superconducting interiors or large internal magnetic fields this bound is unaltered. In the unlikely event that old neutron stars are not superconducting and have internal magnetic fields B_int ? 10⁸ Gauss the effects of monopole-antimonopole annihilation relax the bound to (F_M/cm^?2 s^?1 sr^?1)(σ_ΔB/10^?27 cm^?2)² ? 10^?18. Magnetic monopoles may also have a significant effect on the structure of the interior magnetic field in neutron stars.     

Unified neutron star EOSs and neutron star structures in RMF models

In the framework of the Thomas-Fermi approximation, we systematically study the EOSs and microscopic structures of neutron star matter in a vast density range with n_b ≈ 10⁻¹⁰-2 fm⁻³, where various covariant density functionals are adopted, i.e., those with nonlinear self couplings (NL3, PK1, TM1, GM1, MTVTC) and density-dependent couplings (DD-LZ1, DDME-X, PKDD, DD-ME2, DD2, TW99). It is found that the EOSs generally coincide with each other at n_b ≲ 10⁻⁴ fm⁻³ and 0.1 fm⁻³ ≲ n_b ≲ 0.3 fm⁻³, while in other density regions they are sensitive to the effective interactions between nucleons. By adopting functionals with a larger slope of symmetry energy L, the curvature parameter K_sym and neutron drip density generally increases, while the droplet size, proton number of nucleus, core-crust transition density, and onset density of non-spherical nuclei, decrease. All functionals predict neutron stars with maximum masses exceeding the two-solar-mass limit, while those of DD2, DD-LZ1, DD-ME2, and DDME-X predict optimum neutron star radii according to the observational constraints. Nevertheless, the corresponding skewness coefficients J are much larger than expected, while only the functionals MTVTC and TW99 meet the start-of-art constraints on J. More accurate measurements on the radius of PSR J0740 + 6620 and the maximum mass of neutron stars are thus essential to identify the functional that satisfies all constraints from nuclear physics and astrophysical observations. Approximate linear correlations between neutron stars' radii at M = 1.4M_⊙ and 2M_⊙, the slope L and curvature parameter K_sym of symmetry energy are observed as well, which are mainly attributed to the curvature-slope correlations in the functionals adopted here. The results presented here are applicable for investigations of the structures and evolutions of compact stars in a unified manner.     

Magnetic structures determined by neutron diffraction in the EuBϵ−xCx system

Magnetic structures of pure and carbon-doped europium hexaboride EuB_6?xC_x, were determined by neutron diffraction on powders prepared from ¹¹B and ¹⁵³Eu. EuB₆ is a simple ferromagnet, whereas the x = 0.20 compound has an incommensurate spiral structure with propagation vector τ = (0.28, 0, 0). Data for a magnetically inhomogeneous intermediate composition, x = 0.05, indicate a mixture of ferromagnetic and helimagnetic domains with τ = (0, 0, 0.104). Helimagnetism in EuB_6?xC_x arises from a competition between ferromagnetic near-neighbour exchange and antiferromagnetic interactions due to conduction electrons.     

Magnetic microhelix coil structures

Together with the well-known ferro- and antiferromagnetic ordering, nature has created a variety of complex helical magnetic configurations. Here, we design and investigate three-dimensional microhelix coil structures that are radial-, corkscrew-, and hollow-bar-magnetized. The magnetization configurations of the differently magnetized coils are experimentally revealed by probing their specific dynamic response to an external magnetic field. Helix coils offer an opportunity to realize microscale geometries of the magnetic toroidal moment, observed so far only in bulk multiferroic materials.     

Magnetic chirality as probed by neutron scattering

We review the concept of chirality, at first briefly in a general context then in the specific framework of the spin networks. We next discuss to what extent neutron scattering appears as an unconvertible tool to probe magnetic chirality in the static and dynamical regimes of the spins. The remarkable chiral ground state and excitations of the Fe?langasite compound finally serves to illustrate the use of neutron polarimetry in the experimental studies of the magnetic chirality.     

Magnetic equation for a rotating neutron star

The magnetic configuration in the plasma-sphere surrounding a neutron star is described in terms of a model equation that is constructed to be valid from the surface of the star to distances of the order of the light speed cylinder and beyond. Significant asymptotic solutions of this equation, that are valid in limited regions around the star, are presented.     

Magnetic properties of neutron irradiated RPV steel

The neutron irradiated reactor pressure vessel (RPV) steels at various dose of 0–10¹⁸ n/cm² have been studied with Mössbauer, x-ray diffraction, and VSM. The Mössbauer data shows that the value of magnetic hyperfine field of Fe atom that exist at martensite is 330 kOe at site 1 and 305 kOe at site 2. At room temperature, the total absorption area of Mössbauer spectra with respect to irradiation of neutron is constant for the dose of 0–10¹⁶ n/cm², while over the dose of 0–10¹⁷ n/cm² the absorption area decreases rapidly. But the doublet area for the dose of 0–10¹⁶ n/cm² is constant, while over the dose of 10¹⁷ n/cm² it increases with increasing the fluence level of neutron. The coercivity and remanence of the neutron irradiated samples do not change significantly. But the maximum induction decreases by 5% at 10¹⁸ n/cm², compared with that of the as-received sample.     

Fluctuation polarimetry

We examine the relationship between the strength of the intensity fluctuations and the polarimetric properties of a random electromagnetic field composed of a Gaussian, random field, and nonrandom field, and we present a method for determining the state of polarization of the Gaussian random field. The approach relies on incoherently mixing a Gaussian random field with a controllable reference field and measuring the intensity fluctuations of their superposition. We demonstrate that by controlling the reference field, the full polarimetric information about the Gaussian random field can be uniquely determined.     

Phase transitions and crystalline structures in neutron star cores

The mixed phase of a fully equilibrated nuclear system that is asymmetric in isospin (i.e. in charge) will develop a geometrical structure of the rarer phase immersed in the dominant one. This happens because the isospin asymmetry energy will exploit the degree of freedom available to a system of more than one independent component (or conserved charge) by rearranging the proportion of charge to baryon number between the two equilibrium phases so as to lower the energy; that is, to effectively reduce the isospin asymmetry in the normal nuclear phase. Consequently, the two phases will have opposite charge; competition between Coulomb and surface energy will be resolved by formation of a Coulomb lattice of the rarer phase situated at sites in the dominant phase. The geometric form, size, and spacing of the phase occupying the lattice sites will depend on the pressure or density of matter. Thus, a neutron star containing a mixed phase region of whatever kind, will have a varying geometric structure of one phase embedded in the other. This is expected to effect transport properties of the star as well as to effect the glitch behavior of pulsars that contain a mixed phase region. We study in particular, the quark deconfinement and kaon condensation phase transitions as examples of this general phenomenon.     

Magnetic properties of superconductors studied by neutron depolarization

A new method is described which allows the study of the magnetic properties of superconductors. Measurements on various niobium and lead samples were taken to study the influence of surface conditions and lattice defects on the formation of the mixed and intermediate states. A strong dependence of flux penetration on surface conditions is found. AboveH _C1 the results indicate the formation of a disturbed flux line lattice. The influence of external fields present when the superconductor is cooled throughT _c is discussed and evidence for the intermediate state of type II superconductors is presented. Finally a simple model is used to evaluate the mean angle of deviation from the ideal lattice.     

用于中子能谱测量的反冲质子磁谱仪

根据神光-Ⅲ原型内爆实验条件下初级中子能谱诊断的要求,提出了反冲质子磁谱仪原型的设计方案,并通过蒙特卡罗程序Geant4对设计方案进行了仿真模拟。该质谱仪的测量能区在6~30 MeV,测量产额范围大于1012,能够测量内爆实验的全中子能谱。模拟结果表明：设计的谱仪对于14 MeV的中子探测效率大于10-11,能量分辨达到1%,信噪比大于10,满足神光-Ⅲ原型装置内爆实验离子温度诊断的要求。