Larmor neutron diffraction with one precession arm

Abstract

A new variant of Larmor neutron diffraction, applying only a single precession arm in the initial beam, is proposed. The single arm, together with the polarizer and analyser and possible rotators, are mounted in front of the sample. The great advantage with respect to the case with another precession arm in the reflected beam is that magnetic samples can now be investigated, because depolarization and the Larmor phase change of the beam polarization in the sample after the analyser is no longer of importance for diffraction analysis. The application has lower resolution than the double-arm precession geometry, but is still better than conventional diffraction instruments. The differences will be discussed.