Neutron Spectroscopy: New Detector Module MultiFLEXX Increases Tenfold

A new detector module for user operation is available on the FLEXX three-axis spectrometer at the neutron source BER II. It measures many angles and multiple energy transfers simultaneously, allowing it to measure about ten times more data per hour. The neutron users can optimally use their measuring time.

Measuring time on a neutron instrument is precious for the users, because usually only a few days are available for the measurement. For this reason, an HZB team at the FLEXX neutron spectrometer has developed the new MultiFLEXX detector module, which makes it possible to use the measuring time ten times more effectively. HZB teams and external users have already used the detector successfully in several experiments.

The neutron instrument FLEXX measures magnetic excitations and lattice vibrations in material samples. These are often characterized by a characteristic relationship between excitation energy and scattering angle. A measuring point on the FLEXX measures exactly one angle and one energy transfer and takes, depending on the sample, a few seconds to a few minutes. However, researchers naturally want to measure as many angles and energies as possible.

This now enables the new MultiFLEXX detector module in a short time. Here, 31 angles and five energy transfers can be measured simultaneously. MultiFLEXX is composed of 155 individual detectors. Although everyone has a count rate that is about 5 to 10 times smaller than for a single point on the FLEXX. Nevertheless, the measuring time is shortened by at least a factor of 10.

This is particularly interesting for users who want to follow the excitation behavior of samples at different temperatures or magnetic fields. These questions can be examined particularly well on the FLEXX. The MultiFLEXX detector module was developed by the FLEXX team and manufactured in the HZB workshop.