Instrumentation R&D

Focusing Monochromators for Advanced Neutron Applications (FMANA): Bent-Silicon Neutron Monochromator Development

Under a 9-month Phase I SBIR effort, Phase III Physics designed, fabricated, simulated, and experimentally validated a bent-silicon neutron monochromator for neutron-scattering applications. The work combined analytical modeling, detailed Geant4/NCrystal simulations, in-house prototype fabrication, and neutron-beam testing at the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR).

During beam testing, the prototype was evaluated over multiple controlled silicon-wafer curvatures. Rocking-curve measurements demonstrated that increasing wafer curvature produced the expected increase in peak width, confirming mechanically tunable effective mosaicity. The experimental measurements
showed good agreement with fitted response curves and validated both the mechanical design and underlying performance concept.

The successful Phase I demonstration established a strong experimental and computational foundation for continued development of adjustable, high-performance neutron monochromators for research and neutron-instrumentation applications.

(Expanded technical content is currently being prepared alongside
active research programs and will be added soon.)