NIST Center for Neutron Research

CHRNS VSANS - Very Small-Angle Scattering CHRNS-logo

Description:

Sponsored by the National Science Foundation as part of the Center for High Resolution Neutron Scattering (CHRNS), this brand new 45 meter long Small-Angle Neutron Scattering (VSANS) instrument on neutron guide NG3 was put into operation in 2017. The instrument has a number of design features to make it more versatile than the 30 m instruments:

  • High Resolution detector
  • Converging beam collimation
  • Multiple detector arrays
  • Narrow or broad wavelength resolution
For more information see Design Features

Specifications / Capabilities:

Q-range 0.002 nm-1 to 10 nm-1
Size Regime 1 nm to 2,000 nm
Source Neutron Guide (NG-3), cross-section: 60 mm x 150 mm
Monochromator Velocity selector Mirror HOPG
Wavelength Range 4.5 Å to 12 Å 5.3 Å 4 Å to 6 Å
Wavelength
Resolution (fwhm)		 12 % ~ 40% 1%
Source-to-Sample
Distance		 4 m to 22 m in 2 m steps
Collimation Circular Pinhole, Multiple converging beams or Narrow slits
Sample Size 5 mm diameter to 36 mm x 72 mm
Sample-to-Detector Distance Front Middle Rear Carriage
0.6 m to 10 m 2.5 m to 18 m 10 m to 22 m
Detectors Front Middle Rear Carriage
Type He(3) tubes He(3) tubes Scintillator + CCD
Resolution 8 mm 8 mm 0.2 mm
#Panels 4 4 1
Size 2 x 380 mm wide x 1000 mm tall
2 x 500 mm wide x 380 mm tall		 220 mm wide
500 mm tall


Access Information:

Obtaining Instrument Time

VSANS Schematic
VSANS Schematic
Contact

Name: Cedric Gagnon
Phone: (301) 975-2020
Email: cedric.gagnon@nist.gov
Address:
100 Bureau Dr Stop 6102
Gaithersburg, MD 20899-6102

Name: Grethe Jensen
Phone: (301) 975-4591
Email: grethe.jensen@nist.gov

Name: Elizabeth Kelley
Phone: (301) 975-8584
Email: elizabeth.kelley@nist.gov

Name: Yun Liu
Phone: (301) 975-6235
Email: yun.liu@nist.gov