ANTARES

The neutron imaging facility ANTARES is designed to deliver radiographs and CTs of samples, often complementary to X-ray measurements. The most important features are the high penetration of metals (Fe ~ 4 – 5 cm, Al ~ 20 – 30 cm, Pb ~ 10 – 20 cm) and the high sensitivity for hydrogen. These allow to visualise metal machine parts as well as liquids, sealants, and plastics inside of metal parts. Liquid contrast agents can be employed for crack and void detection.

Typical applications are in archaeology, paleontology, biology, life sciences, magnetism, and non-destructive testing of mission-critical parts.

• Neutron radiography of static samples and dynamic processes with up to several 100 frames per second (depending on spatial resolution)
• Computed tomography (a few seconds per scan up to several hours depending on spatial resolution)
• Neutron Grating Interferometry (spatially resolved USANS off structures of 100 nm – 10 µm)
• Bragg Edge Imaging
• Polarised neutron imaging

• Tensile rig: 100 kN
• ³He cryostat: min. 500 mK
• Normal conducting magnet: 300 mT
• Vacuum furnace: up to 400°C

Without the cold source, ANTARES will have a similar flux as before, but the spectrum will be fully thermalised instead of cold. Applications using cold neutrons will be possible up to a wavelength of approx. 4 Å with reduced flux. All other instrument properties will remain unchanged.

• Default collimation ratio L/D=500 at the sample position with a flux of 5.4 × 10⁷ n cm^-2 s^-1
• Collimation ratio adjustable between L/D = 250 and 7200
• Beam size up to 35 × 35 cm²

• Neutron velocity selector: 1.6 Å ≤ λ ≤ 3 Å (Δλ/λ = 20 %) or 3.0 Å ≤ λ ≤ approx. 4 Å (Δλ/λ = 10 %)
• Double crystal monochromator: 1.4 Å ≤ λ ≤ approx. 4.0 Å (1 % < Δλ/λ < 3 %)
• Neutron grating interferometer: Sensitive to USANS scattering on length scales of 100 nm – 10 µm, optimised for thermal neutrons
• Filter for epithermal neutron imaging for higher penetration
• Neutron polarisation analysis set-up using ³He polarisers and thermal neutrons

• Flexible options depending on sample size and weight (up to 500 kg)

• Camera and scintillator-based detection systems with spatial resolutions down to a few µm.
  • Standard detector: ANDOR cooled CCD camera, 2048 × 2048 pixels, 16 bit
  • Fast, cooled scientific CMOS camera: ANDOR Neo 2560 × 2160 pixels, 16 bit, up to 50 fps full frame
  • Intensified high speed CMOS camera, 1920 × 1080 pixels with 2000 fps
• Imaging plate readers with neutron and X-ray imaging plates (focus size 12.5 µm)

Thermal neutron spectrum: See fig. 1

• Default collimation ratio L/D=500 at the sample position with a flux of 6.3 × 10⁷ n cm^-2 s^-1
• Collimation ratio adjustable between L/D = 250 and 7200
• Beam size up to 35 × 35 cm²

• Neutron velocity selector: 1.6 Å ≤ λ ≤ 3 Å (Δλ/λ = 20 %) or 3.0 Å ≤ λ ≤ 6.5 Å (Δλ/λ = 10 %)
• Double crystal monochromator: 1.4 Å ≤ λ ≤ 6.5 Å (1 % < Δλ/λ < 3 %)
• Neutron grating interferometer: Sensitive to USANS scattering on length scales of 100 nm – 10 µm
• Filter for epithermal neutron imaging for higher penetration
• Neutron polarisation analysis setup using V-cavities or ³He polarisers

• Flexible options depending on sample size and weight (up to 500 kg)

• Camera and scintillator-based detection systems with spatial resolutions down to a few µm.
  • Standard detector: ANDOR cooled CCD camera, 2048 × 2048 pixels, 16 bit
  • Fast, cooled scientific CMOS camera: ANDOR Neo 2560 × 2160 pixels, 16 bit, up to 50 fps full frame
  • Intensified high speed CMOS camera, 1920 × 1080 pixels with 2000 fps
• Imaging plate readers with neutron and X-ray imaging plates (focus size 12.5 µm)

Cold neutron spectrum: See fig. 1