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We investigate the spin rotational structure of magnetic skyrmions in a tetragonal polar magnet VOSe2O5 via polarized small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). Spin polarization analysis of the scattered neutrons provides consistent evidence for the cycloidal spin modulation in all the incommensurate phases at zero and non-zero magnetic field along the c axis, including the triangular skyrmion-lattice phase. In the vicinity of the skyrmion phase, we performed extensive SANS measurements to unravel a field-induced incommensurate phase (IC-2 state). We discuss the possibility of anisotropic double-q state as an alternative spin structure to provisional square skyrmion-lattice state., 27 pages, 5 figures

Low gradient magnetic holding fields are required for maintaining the polarization of polarized 3He, as diffusion though non-ideal gradients can cause total relaxation rates much greater than the intrinsic total 3He relaxation rate of a particular 3He cell in optimal conditions. For neutron scattering applications we often rely on µ-metal cavities to provide a degree of shielding from the many other sources of magnetic fields and gradient experienced on a typical neutron instrument. The JCNS utilizes two concepts for such cavities, one based on inexpensive plastic-bonded magnets to provide magnetic flux, and the other based on field coils wound on the sides of the µ-metal cavity. 2 different sized of permanent magnet cavities and three different geometries of coil-based cavities have been produced. Both types of boxes will be presented with magnetic design as well as mechanical construction details along with the achieved performance of the constructed devices.

12th International Conference on Polarised Neutrons for Condensed Matter Investigations, PNCMI 2018, Abingdon, UK, 3 Jul 2018 - 6 Jul 2018; Journal of physics / Conference Series 1316, 012009 (2019). doi:10.1088/1742-6596/1316/1/012009 special issue: "12th International Conference on Polarised Neutrons for Condensed Matter Investigations (PNCMI 2018) 3-6 July 2018, Abingdon, UK", Published by IOP Publ., Bristol

An XYZ polarization analysis solution has been developed for the new thermal time-of-flight spectrometer TOPAS [1], to be operated in the coming east neutron guide hall at the MLZ. This prototype is currently being prepared to use on NEAT at HZB [2]. Polarization Analysis Studies on a Thermal Inelastic Spectrometer, commonly called PASTIS [3], is based on polarized 3He neutron spin filters and an XYZ field configuration for the sample environment and a polarization-preserving neutron guide field. The complete system was designed to provide adiabatic transport of the neutron polarization to the sample position on TOPAS while maintaining the homogeneity of the XYZ field. This complete system has now been tested on the polarized time-of-flight ESS test beam line V20 at HZB [4]. We present results of this test and the next steps forward.

Purpose MRI of lung airspaces using gases with MR-active nuclei (3He, 129Xe, and 19F) is an important area of research in pulmonary imaging. The volume-controlled administration of gas mixtures is important for obtaining quantitative information from MR images. State-of-the-art gas administration using plastic bags (PBs) does not allow for a precise determination of both the volume and timing of a 3He bolus. Methods A novel application unit (AU) was built according to the requirements of the German medical devices law. Integrated spirometers enable the monitoring of the inhaled gas flow. The device is particularly suited for hyperpolarized (HP) gases (e.g., storage and administration with minimal HP losses). The setup was tested in a clinical trial (n = 10 healthy volunteers) according to the German medicinal products law using static and dynamic ventilation HP-3He MRI. Results The required specifications for the AU were successfully realized. Compared to PB-administration, better reproducibility of gas intrapulmonary distribution was observed when using the AU for both static and dynamic ventilation imaging. Conclusion The new AU meets the special requirements for HP gases, which are storage and administration with minimal losses. Our data suggest that gas AU-administration is superior to manual modes for determining the key parameters of dynamic ventilation measurements. Magn Reson Med 74:884–893, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Polarization of 3He gas by means of optical pumping is well known since the early 1960s with first applications in fundamental physics. Some thirty years later it was discovered, that one can use hyperpolarized 3He as contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging of the lung. The wide interest in this new method made it necessary to find ways of polarizing 3He in large quantities with high polarization degrees. A high performance polarizing facility has been developed at the University of Mainz, designed for centralized production of hyperpolarized 3He gas. We present the Mainz concept as well as some examples of numerous applications of spin polarized 3He in fundamental research and medical applications.

Fully polarized neutron reflectometry and grazing incidence small angle neutron scattering are effective methods to explore magnetic structures on the nm to μm length scales. This paper is an outline of how to fully correct for the polarization analysis (PA) inefficiencies of such an instrument and to determine the error contributions of the neutron polarizer and analyzer. This discussion considers the exact case of the polarization analysis instrumentation used on the MARIA neutron reflectometer at the MLZ or for a general polarized neutron scattering instrument using at least one 3He neutron spin filter that has the capability for adiabatic fast passage nuclear magnetic resonance flipping of the 3He polarization. This paper will work to build a conceptual understanding of how the inefficiencies of neutron polarization elements affect measured data in order to stress and encourage the application of PA corrections and to help perform successful measurements. Then, using data from a fully polarized neutron reflectometer test measurement we show how it is possible to recover signals on the order of, or even smaller than, the inefficiencies, or bleed-through, of the neutron polarization devices used.

We present an ultra-compact 3He polarizer to be used as a polarization analyzer for separation of incoherent background for soft matter research. The 3He will be polarized in-situ within a very compact, 18 cm long, magnetic cavity that can be placed between the sample and the detector tank of small-angle scattering diffractometer KWS2 at MLZ [1]. This allows for the angular coverage of 38°, that corresponds to the maximal momentum transfer Qmaxλ=0.85 Å−1 for neutrons with wavelength λ=4.5Å. The Qmax can be extended to 1.28 Å−1 following the recent upgrade of KWS2 for neutron wavelength λ=3Å. The optical pumping will be done by the diode laser array bar frequency narrowed by the ultra-compact volume Bragg grating. The full system will be readily hand transportable and thus useful as an instrument add-on.

et al., The combination of lithography and ion implantation is demonstrated to be a suitable method to prepare lateral multilayers. A laterally, compositionally, and magnetically modulated microscale pattern consisting of alternating Co (1.6 µm wide) and Co-CoO (2.4 µm wide) lines has been obtained by oxygen ion implantation into a lithographically masked Au-sandwiched Co thin film. Magnetoresistance along the lines (i.e., current and applied magnetic field are parallel to the lines) reveals an effective positive giant magnetoresistance (GMR) behavior at room temperature. Conversely, anisotropic magnetoresistance and GMR contributions are distinguished at low temperature (i.e., 10 K) since the O-implanted areas become exchange coupled. This planar GMR is principally ascribed to the spatial modulation of coercivity in a spring-magnet-type configuration, which results in 180° Néel extrinsic domain walls at the Co/Co-CoO interfaces. The versatility, in terms of pattern size, morphology, and composition adjustment, of this method offers a unique route to fabricate planar systems for, among others, spintronic research and applications., This work was financed by the Research Foundation-Flanders (FWO), the Concerted Research ActionGOA/14/007, the 2014-SGR-1015 project of the Generalitat de Catalunya, and the European Commission under the 7th Framework Programme through the “Research Infrastructure” action of the “Capacities” Programme, NMI3-II Grant No. 283883. This work is based upon experiments (Proposal Nos. 5928 and 9384) performed at the MARIA instrument operated by JCNS at Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Zentrum (MLZ), Garching, Germany. The authors would like to thank IMEC for access to its lithography facilities as well as J. Moonens and J. Loo for technical support. ICN2 acknowledges support from the Severo Ochoa Program (MINECO, Grant SEV-2013-0295).

This article describes a high-efficiency transmission polarizer that has been installed at the high-intensity SANS diffractometer KWS2 of the Julich Centre for Neutron Science. The polarizer is primarily designed to be used in the low resolution/high Q-range mode of this diffractometer for the purpose of the separation of coherent scattering on biological objects from an intrinsic background caused by incoherent scattering on their hydrogen atoms. The polarizer operates with a rather divergent incident beam and is placed at about 2m from the sample (upstream in the beam). The diffuse spin-flip scattering that would become critical for such geometry is suppressed due to the use of a strong, about 0.14T, magnetic field. The polarizer has been characterized by a 3 He neutron spin filter and provides very high polarization - 93% at 4.5 A and 99.7% for neutrons with wavelength above 6 A – for the SANS collimation 4m. The polarizer transmission at 4.5 A amounts to 94% of the desired spin component. The polarizer is placed in the collimation base of the instrument and can be easily put in and out of the beam thus allowing for “an instant” switch between polarized and non-polarized neutron beams.

We have developed the means to recycle 3He exhaled by patients after imaging the lungs using magnetic resonance of hyperpolarized 3He. The exhaled gas is collected in a helium leak proof bag and further compressed into a steel bottle. The collected gas contains about 1–2% of 3He, depending on the amount administered and the number of breaths collected to wash out the 3He gas from the lungs. 3He is separated from the exhaled air using zeolite molecular sieve adsorbent at 77 K followed by a cold head at 8 K. Residual gaseous impurities are finally absorbed by a commercial nonevaporative getter. The recycled 3He gas features high purity, which is required for repolarization by metastability exchange optical pumping. At present, we achieve a collection efficiency of 80–84% for exhaled gas from healthy volunteers and cryogenic separation efficiency of 95%. Magn Reson Med, 2011. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

A novel method is presented for the three-dimensional mapping of the B1-field of a transmit radio-frequency MR coil. The method is based on the acquisition of phase images, where the effective flip angle is encoded in the phase of the nonselective hard pulse excitation. The method involves the application of a rectangular composite pulse as excitation in a three-dimensional gradient recall echo to produce measurable phase angle variation. However, such a pulse may significantly increase the radio-frequency power deposition in excess of the standard acceptable SAR limits, imposing extremely long TRs (>100 msec), which would result in acquisition times significantly greater than a single breath-hold. In this study, the phases of the radio-frequency excitation are modified, resulting in a different pulse sequence scheme. It is shown that the new method increases sensitivity with respect to radio-frequency inhomogeneities by up to 10 times, and reduces the total duration of the pulse so that three-dimensional B1 mapping is possible with 3He in lungs within a single breath-hold. Computer simulations demonstrate the increase in sensitivity. Phantom results with 1H MRI are used for validation. In vivo results are presented with hyperpolarized 3He in human lungs at 1.5T. Magn Reson Med, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

PURPOSE: To protect the patient with acute respiratory distress syndrome from ventilator associated lung injury (VALI) high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) is used. Clinical experience has proven that HFOV is an efficient therapy when conventional artificial ventilation is insufficient. However, the optimal settings of HFOV parameters, eg, tidal volumes, pressure amplitudes and frequency for maximal lung protection, and efficient gas exchange are not established unambiguously. METHODS: In this work magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with hyperpolarized (3)He was employed to visualize the redistribution of gas within the cadaver pig lung during HFOV. The saturated slice method was used to characterize fast gas kinetics. RESULTS: The strong differences in kinetics were observed for HFOV-driven gas exchange in comparison with diffusive gas transport (apnea). The significant regional and HFOV frequency dependence was detected for washout and gas exchange within the lungs. Gas redistribution was much faster in posterior than in anterior parts of the lungs during HFOV, in contrast to minor differences with an opposite trend observed in apnea. CONCLUSION: The method shows significant potential for visualization and quantification of gas redistribution under HFOV and may help in optimization of the parameters to improve the clinical effect of HFOV for patients.

The aim of this work was to establish a new, fast, and robust method of flip-angle calibration for magnetic resonance imaging of hyperpolarized 3He. The method called flip-angle measurement with magnetization inversion is based on acquiring images from periodically inverted longitudinal magnetization created using the spatial modulation of magnetization technique. By measuring the width of the area where the magnetization was inverted by the spatial modulation of magnetization preparation in phase images, the flip angle can be generated using a simple equation. To validate and establish the limits of the proposed method, flip-angle measurement with magnetization inversion acquisitions were simulated and applied to proton and hyperpolarized 3He phantoms. Then, the calibration procedure was applied during hyperpolarized 3He magnetic resonance imaging in a healthy volunteer. The advantage of the flip-angle measurement with magnetization inversion method compared with the conventional method based on the assessment of radiofrequency-decay is that it is free of errors induced by relaxation due to oxygen, by imperfect excitation slice profile and by any diffusion of 3He into and out of the slice. Another advantage is that it does not require image processing with external software and therefore can be performed using the implemented tools on the magnetic resonance workstation. Magn Reson Med, 2011. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

We present novel types of permanently magnetized as well as current powered boxes built from soft-ferromagnetic materials. They provide shielded magnetic fields which are homogeneous within a large fraction of the enclosed volume, thus minimizing size, weight, and costs. For the permanently magnetized solutions, homogenization is achieved either by an optimized distribution of the permanent field sources or by jacketing the field with a soft-ferromagnetic cylindrical shell which is magnetized in parallel to the enclosed field. The latter principle may be applied up to fields of about 0.1 T. With fields of about 1 mT, such boxes are being used for shipping spin-polarized 3 He worldwide for MRI purposes. For current powered boxes, we present concepts and realizations of uniaxial and tri-axial shielded magnetic fields which are homogeneous on the level of 10 −4 within the entire shielded volume. This is achieved by inserting tightly fitting solenoids into a box from soft-magnetic material. The flexible tri-axial solution suits in particular laboratory applications, e.g. for establishing a spin quantization axis.

Imaging with hyperpolarized 3-helium is becoming an increasingly important technique for MRI diagnostics of the lung but is hampered by long breath holds (>20 sec), which are not always applicable in patients with severe lung disease like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or α-1-anti-trypsin deficiency. Additionally, oxygen-induced depolarization decay during the long breath holds complicates interpretation of functional data such as apparent diffusion coefficients. To address these issues, we describe and validate a 1.5-T, 32-channel array coil for accelerated 3He lung imaging and demonstrate its ability to speed up imaging 3He. A signal-to-noise ratio increase of up to a factor of 17 was observed compared to a conventional double-resonant birdcage for unaccelerated imaging, potentially allowing increased image resolution or decreased gas production requirements. Accelerated imaging of the whole lung with one-dimensional and two-dimensional acceleration factors of 4 and 4 × 2, respectively, was achieved while still retaining excellent image quality. Finally, the potential of highly parallel detection in lung imaging is demonstrated with high-resolution morphologic and functional images. Magn Reson Med, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Polarized He 3 from metastability exchange optical pumping (MEOP) is used as an effective polarized neutron target for electron scattering experiments at the MAinz MIcrotron (MAMI). With the present setup an initial polarization of up to 72% has been obtained at the experimental area. A novel calibration technique will be presented which allows the determination of the absolute polarization within a relative uncertainty of 3%.

This paper deals with the diagnostic yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) in-flight particles in Vacuum Plasma Spray (VPS) process using an optical measurement device. Particle velocity, temperature and diameter were correlated to spray distance under a fixed chamber pressure of about 14 kPa. Experiments were carried out with a two-color pyrometer. Results show that correlations can be satisfactory described with linear relationships. Particle velocity and temperature decrease when increasing spray distance whereas particle diameter exhibits a linear increase with the spray distance.

High velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF) torch radiations were measured in the 8–14 μm spectral band as a function of successively oxygen and methane (CH4) flow rates. Experienced flow rates were varied respectively from 250 to 450 Nl/min for oxygen and from 100 to 150 Nl/min for methane. Prediction about the effects of the reflected HVOF torch radiation on the measured temperature was detailed. Extraneous radiant energy coming from the HVOF torch was found to have drastic effects on temperature measurement under some special input conditions. In such a case, a correction of the measured temperature for reflected HVOF radiant energy has to be performed for low target temperature or low target emissivity.

In thermal spraying, temperature, size and velocity of particles before they impact on the substrate are among the main characteristics influencing the microstructure of the resulting coating. Individual in-flight particle characteristics can be measured by using various optical techniques developed in the laboratory or available on the market. Some of these techniques aim to estimate the individual particle thermal radiation by forming an image of the particles when they pass in front of a collecting lens. In thermal spraying, and more specifically in plasma spraying, measuring the thermal radiation of individual sprayed particles can be a challenging task because of the intense radiation coming from the plasma. The aim of this work is to quantify the error made in estimating particle thermal radiation from measurement of visible and near-infrared radiation coming from individual particles. To achieve this goal, two kinds of measurements were made. First, optical radiation emitted, or reflected, by a jet of sprayed particles is analyzed by an optical emission spectrometer. Then, after triggering by laser light scattering on individual cold particles, the near-infrared radiation collected from those particles is measured as it is usually done by two-color pyrometry on hot sprayed particles. Analysis of these measurements allows us to estimate the accuracy of thermal radiation measurement and then the error made on particle surface temperature in thermal spraying diagnostic.

This paper aims at exploring the possibilities to produce TBCs coatings under VPS low pressure conditions. A diagnosis investigation of velocity, temperature and diameter of yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) in-flight particles was undertaken using a high speed two-pyrometer analyzer. The particle characteristic modifications were obtained for various pressure levels and spray distances. The observed correlations concluded in an effective control of particle velocity and the decrease of particle temperature.

The paper studies the diagnostic, structure, and magnetic properties of FeSi coatings deposited by high-velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF) using microcrystalline powders. Diagnostics of in-flight particles showed that the temperature and velocity particles were sufficient to obtain a good coating with a homogeneous microstructure. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns showed that the FeSi coatings were a crystalline structure with basically cubic structure α1-Fe3Si (DO3). Magnetic measurements showed that FeSi coatings exhibited a good soft ferromagnetic character; its magnetic properties remained stable even at high temperatures.

Very Low-Pressure Plasma Spray (VLPPS under 1 mbar) has been developed and used for deposition of copper powder (10–63 μm) coating on stainless steel substrate. In order to improve the understanding of this technique and to study the volatilization of the injected powder in supersonic plasma, optical emission spectroscopy study has been carried out. Preliminary results of the properties and the structure of VLPPS copper coating are presented. It is shown that the plasma expansion with decreasing chamber pressure increases the volatilization of particles and allows to obtain a very dense coating with crystalline structures and avoids oxygen, due to the preheating of the substrate with plasma (length about 1.50 m).

Thermal spray process is a technique of coating manufacturing implementing a wide variety of materials and processes. This technique is characterized by up to 150 processing parameters influencing the coating properties. The control of the coating quality is needed through the consideration of a robust methodology that takes into account the parameter interdependencies, the process variability and offers the ability to quantify the processing parameter-process response relationships. The aim of this work is to introduce a new approach based on artificial intelligence responding to these requirements. A detailed procedure is presented considering an artificial neural network (ANN) structure which encodes implicitly the physical phenomena governing the process. The implementation of such a structure was coupled to experimental results of an optic sensor controlling the powder particle fusion state before the coating formation. The optimization steps were discussed and the predicted results were compared to the experimental ones allowing the identification of the control factors.

© 2015 Owned by the authors, published by EDP Sciences. We report on the progress of the construction of the thermal time-of-flight spectrometer with polarization analysis TOPAS at the Mayer-Leibnitz Zentrum (MLZ). The instrument components approach the status to be ready for installation. The special feature of the instrument is its capability for wide-angle polarization analysis in the thermal spectral range. Here we describe a novel approach to rotate the neutron spin adiabatically into the X, Y or Z direction of the laboratory frame by combination of permanent magnets aligned as Halbach rings and electrically generated fields. Despite the severe spatial restrictions the design exhibits a very high adiabaticity and interacts only weakly with the coil layout for the analyzing 3He spin filter cell (SFC).

Over the past several years the JCNS has been developing in-house applications for neutron polarization analysis (PA). These methods include PA for separation of incoherent from coherent scattering in soft matter studies (SANS), and online polarization for analysis for neutron reflectometry, SANS, GISANS and eventually spectroscopy. This paper will present an overview of the user activities at the JCNS at the MLZ and gives an overview of the polarization 3He methods and devices used. Additionally we will summarise current projects which will further support the user activities using polarised 3He spin filters.

We report on the first results of the newly proposed and prototyped PASTIS coil set, enabling for XYZ polarization analysis on the future thermal time-of flight spectrometers. Our setup uses a wide-angle banana shaped 3He Neutron Spin Filter cell (NSF) to cover a large range of scattering solid angle. The design assures relative magnetic field gradients < 10-3 cm-1 and large solid angle areas not interrupted by either coils or supports. In the vertical direction nearly 40° are open and the blind spots in the horizontal scattering plane comprise only 3° in 180° due to the square X and Y compensation coils. We present the first results of the field mapping and relaxations time measurements using a large 3He SEOP polarized GE180 doughnut cell.

A polarized 3 He target has been installed for the first time inside the 4 π Crystal Ball detector at the tagged photon beam of the MAinz MIcrotron (MAMI). It has been demonstrated that the system works reliably and that the polarization losses during handling of the polarized gas are under control. Initial polarization values up to 70% and total relaxation times up to 20 h could be obtained during a first test beam time devoted to the measurement of the double polarized photoabsorption cross-section in the Δ ( 1232 ) baryon resonance region.

Imaging with hyperpolarized 3-helium is becoming an increasingly important technique for MRI diagnostics of the lung but is hampered by long breath holds (20 sec), which are not always applicable in patients with severe lung disease like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or alpha-1-anti-trypsin deficiency. Additionally, oxygen-induced depolarization decay during the long breath holds complicates interpretation of functional data such as apparent diffusion coefficients. To address these issues, we describe and validate a 1.5-T, 32-channel array coil for accelerated (3)He lung imaging and demonstrate its ability to speed up imaging (3)He. A signal-to-noise ratio increase of up to a factor of 17 was observed compared to a conventional double-resonant birdcage for unaccelerated imaging, potentially allowing increased image resolution or decreased gas production requirements. Accelerated imaging of the whole lung with one-dimensional and two-dimensional acceleration factors of 4 and 4 x 2, respectively, was achieved while still retaining excellent image quality. Finally, the potential of highly parallel detection in lung imaging is demonstrated with high-resolution morphologic and functional images.

International audience; PURPOSE: To assess the sensitivity of hyperpolarized helium 3 ((3)He) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging for the detection of peripheral airway obstruction in younger cystic fibrosis (CF) patients showing normal spirometric results (mean forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV(1)], 112% +/- 14.5 [standard deviation]) and to observe the immediate effects of a single chest physical therapy (CPT) session, thereby comparing two image quantification techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten pediatric CF patients (age range, 8-16 years) with normal spirometric results were included in this study after approval from the local research ethics committee. Spirometry followed by proton and hyperpolarized (3)He three-dimensional lung imaging were performed with a 1.5-T MR unit before and after 20 minutes of CPT. The number of ventilation defects per image (VDI) and the ventilated lung fraction (VF), defined as the ratio of ventilated lung volume divided by total lung volume, were quantified. RESULTS: Ventilation defects were found in all patients (mean VDI, 5.1 +/- 1.9; mean global VF, 78.5% +/- 12.3; and mean peripheral VF, 75.5% +/- 17.1) despite normal spirometric results. After CPT, disparate changes in the distribution of ventilation defects were observed but the average VDI and VF did not change significantly (mean VDI, 5.1 +/- 1.1; mean global VF, 83.5% +/- 12.2; and mean peripheral VF, 80.3% +/- 12.2). There was no correlation between FEV(1) and VDI (rho = -0.041, P = .863) or global VF (rho = -0.196, P = .408) values but peripheral VF and VDI were correlated (rho = -0.563, P = .011). CONCLUSION: Although spirometric results indicate normal lung function, the mean VDI in patients (5.1) found in this study is well above the VDI in healthy subjects (1.6) reported in the literature. A single CPT session induces disparate changes in the distribution and extent of ventilation defects.

Imaging of the lung with hyperpolarized 3He became a well known technique in the last decade. Being able to image ventilation and the microstructure of the lung an increase of SNR and a shortage of scan time is eligible. By using a 32-channel phased array the sensitivity was increased dramatically. High resolution 2D-images with a resolution of 1 × 1 mm2 having a 3 mm slice was realized, showing highly detailed images of the lung. By applying parallel imaging techniques the SNR could be increased and scan time was reduced drastically by using a 2D acceleration of R = 4 × 2 with a 3D-protocol covering the whole lung.

In order to produce high-quality 3He Neutron Spin Filters (NSF) with a high polarisation level, it is necessary to achieve a long 3He relaxation time by the reduction of the wall relaxation. This requires one to minimise the amount of impurities at the surface of the glass cells, and to have as few contaminants as possible in the gas filling system. In this report we describe the detailed procedure we employ to produce 3He cells using our newly built filling station. The obtained life times for a number of cells are practically approaching the fundamental limit imposed by the dipole-dipole interaction between 3He atoms.

We present progress towards a complete system for neutron polarization analysis on a time-of-flight (TOF) neutron spectrometer with a large area/angle detector array. Finite element calculations have been used to model the field gradients of a newly proposed PASTIS coil set, which uses a wide-angle banana shaped 3He Neutron Spin Filter cell (NSF) to cover a large neutron scattering solid angle. The final goal of this insert is to enable X-Y-Z polarization analysis to be installed on the future hot/thermal time-of flight spectrometers, although the method is also applicable to thermal/cold spectrometers as well. The components of this system, such as the magnetic field coils and design are applicable to neutron spectroscopy with wide angle detector arrays in general, and the 3He wide angle cell developments for polarized inelastic neutron scattering are independent from the methods used to polarize the gas as well.

Polarization analysis will be needed on modern neutron scattering instrumentation designed to measure wide dynamic Q-ranges. These instruments will often use large area detectors and potentially multiple neutron wavelength bands or pulsed sources. This will place high demands on the method used for the polarization analysis. Two methods, super mirrors and 3He neutron spin filters, are often considered as the only solutions. In this paper we will discuss the basic differences in these two methods for applications measuring a wide dynamic Q-range via the use of large area detectors. First we will present the simplified theory for conceptual understanding of how both wide angle SM and wide angle 3He analyzer devices perform. Then we discuss how the properties of each method will effect neutron performance taking into account practical considerations. Such a conceptual understanding of the basics of design, performance and limitations of the two main options for such wide angle polarization analysis is timely...

Hyperpolarized (HP) noble gases (3He,129Xe) are used for MR-imaging of the lung. In the majority of case the HP gas is filled in Tedlarbags and directly inhaled by the patients. Starting from an earlier pilot device, an administration unit was built respectively to the Medical Devices Law to administer patients HP noble gas boli in defined quantities and at a predefined time during inspiration with high reproducibility and reliability without reducing MR-quality. The patient's airflows are monitored and recorded. It is possible to use gas admixtures, measure the polarization on-line and collect the exhaled gas for later recycling. The first images with healthy volunteers were taken with this setup in a clinical study. Current results will be presented.

In soft matter small angle neutron scattering (SANS) studies at large Q values, incoherent scattering becomes the dominant signal. In the Q-range of interest to this work, from 0.2 A −1 to about 1.0 A −1 , the coherent scattering from the typical protein or polymer in a D2 Ob uffer solution inevitably drops one to two orders of magnitude or more below the total scattering. Even after careful and accurate subtraction of the measured D2 Ob uffer scattering, the remaining corrected, i.e. sample-only, signal will still be dominated by diffuse incoherent scattering from hydrogen in the sample itself. This is the exact region of interest when one wishes to probe the structural changes in ”living” proteins caused by interactions and motions related to function. To further complicate the problem, there is strong motivation to measure this Q-regime at very low concentrations because it has been shown with wide angle X-ray scattering that proteins can undergo concentration-dependent structural changes that rapidly increase below concentrations of about 5% [1] motivating the study of protein solutions at ever lower concentrations. In this case the signal from the protein will inevitably become much less than the scattering of the D2 Ob uffer solution it is contained in. Polarization analysis offers the opportunity to separate the weak coherent signal from the larger incoherent signal and perhaps enable measurements under the conditions described above. This paper will address the issues associated with the correct separation of coherent and incoherent scattering for soft matter samples. We have performed tests measurements on KWS2 which show the viability of the method on a protonated α-lactalbumin solution at 2.5% (1 mm thick) and 0.25% (2 mm thick) concentrations in a D2 Ob uffer solution. Additionally describe a the method of implementation using 3 He spin filters, some practical considerations, and future plans for a dedicated device at the JCNS. c � 2012 for authors transferring the copyright to Elsevier use the following: Elsevier BV. Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility of the organizing committee for PNCMI 2012.

The MIRACLES team., An overview is provided of the 15 neutron beam instruments making up the initial instrument suite of the European Spallation Source (ESS), and being made available to the neutron user community. The ESS neutron source consists of a high-power accelerator and target station, providing a unique long-pulse time structure of slow neutrons. The design considerations behind the time structure, moderator geometry and instrument layout are presented. The 15-instrument suite consists of two small-angle instruments, two reflectometers, an imaging beamline, two single-crystal diffractometers; one for macromolecular crystallography and one for magnetism, two powder diffractometers, and an engineering diffractometer, as well as an array of five inelastic instruments comprising two chopper spectrometers, an inverse-geometry single-crystal excitations spectrometer, an instrument for vibrational spectroscopy and a high-resolution backscattering spectrometer. The conceptual design, performance and scientific drivers of each of these instruments are described. All of the instruments are designed to provide breakthrough new scientific capability, not currently available at existing facilities, building on the inherent strengths of the ESS long-pulse neutron source of high flux, flexible resolution and large bandwidth. Each of them is predicted to provide world-leading performance at an accelerator power of 2 MW. This technical capability translates into a very broad range of scientific capabilities. The composition of the instrument suite has been chosen to maximise the breadth and depth of the scientific impact of the early years of the ESS, and provide a solid base for completion and further expansion of the facility., Some of the work described here is part of projects that have received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research programme: SINE 2020 under grant agreement number 654000, BrightnESS under grant agreement number 676548, and SoNDe under grant agreement number 654124. Financial support for the fast-shutter upgrade for FREIA from Swedish Research Council VR, grant no 2018-05013, is acknowledged. The VESPA team gratefully acknowledges the Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC) and the CNR , within the CNR-STFC Agreement (2014–2020) No. 3420.