Colloid Research on the Small and Wide Angle Neutron Scattering Instrument TAIKAN at MLF/J-PARC

Abstract

I introduce specifications and research activities on the time-of-flight (TOF) small and wide angle neutron scattering instrument (TAIKAN) installed on the Material and Life Science Experimental Facility (MLF) in the J-PARC, Tokai, Ibaraki, Japan. By using white neutrons in the wavelength range of 0.5 < λ < 7.8 Å based on TOF method, and four large area detector banks, the TAIKAN can cover simultaneously cover a wide Q range from 5×10^–3 to 18 Å^–1. Recently, we installed the ultra-small angle detector consisting of a cross-wired position sensitive photomultiplier tube combined with a ZnS/⁶LiF scintillator, and magnetic neutron lenses in order to extend the accessible low-Q limit. Several sample environments, such as a stretching cell, a superconducting magnet, a vapor sorption apparatus and a rheometer, have been constructed. As recent research activities, complementary SANS and SAXS studies of spherical micellar solutions are introduced. I also show the first result of Rheo-SANS experiments on the TAIKAN carried out on wormlike micellar solutions.