A neutron target station insert and neutron spectrometer beam splitting system

Abstract

A neutron target station insert and a neutron spectrometer beam splitting system, the neutron target station insert comprises a shell, a shielding shell, a first neutron guide tube and a second neutron guide tube, the shielding shell has two through installation channels for installing the first neutron guide tube and the second neutron guide tube arranged at an angle, and the shell has an installation cavity for installing the shielding shell. Since the first neutron guide tube and the second neutron guide tube arranged at an angle are arranged in the shielding shell, two neutron beams arranged at an angle can be transmitted through the neutron target station insert, so that the neutron reactor or the target station can simultaneously output two neutron beams to two independent spectrometer halls, greatly improving the utilization rate of the reactor or the target station.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of neutron spectrometer technology, and more specifically to a neutron target station insert. Background Technology

[0002] Neutron spectrometers primarily utilize neutrons as a detection method to study the microscopic structure and properties of various substances. Currently, spectrometers built worldwide can be divided into two categories: neutron spallation source spectrometers and neutron reactor spectrometers. The neutron beam in the target station or reactor is transmitted to the spectrometer hall and then to the sample via neutron optical components such as neutron conduits or collimators. Both reactors and target stations require radiation protection shielding; thus, the neutron conduits or collimators inevitably need to pass through the radiation protection shielding layer. The neutron conduit or collimator located within this radiation protection shielding layer is called a neutron insert, and the neutron insert that passes through the target station or reactor wall and connects to the neutron switch insert is called a neutron target station (reactor) insert.

[0003] Existing neutron target insertion devices include a single-channel neutron conduit with a small angle, through which only one neutron beam can be transmitted to a spectrometer hall, resulting in low utilization of the reactor or target station. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The main technical problem solved by this invention is that only one neutron beam can be transmitted to a spectrometer hall via existing neutron target station inserts, resulting in low utilization of the reactor or target station.

[0005] According to a first aspect, one embodiment provides a neutron target station insert, comprising:

[0006] The housing has a through mounting cavity;

[0007] A shielding shell is disposed within the mounting cavity, and the shielding shell has two through mounting channels;

[0008] In addition, a first neutron conduit and a second neutron conduit are respectively disposed in the two installation channels, and the first neutron conduit and the second neutron conduit are arranged at an angle.

[0009] According to a second aspect, one embodiment provides a neutron spectrometer beam splitting system, including a neutron switch insert, a neutron target station insert, and a neutron chopper arranged in sequence, wherein the neutron target station insert is the neutron target station insert described in any embodiment of this application.

[0010] According to the neutron target station insert of the above embodiment, since the shielding shell is provided with a first neutron conduit and a second neutron conduit arranged at an angle, two neutron beams at an angle can be transmitted through the neutron target station insert, so that the neutron reactor or target station can simultaneously output two neutron beams to two independent spectrometer halls, greatly improving the utilization rate of the reactor or target station. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a neutron target station insert in one embodiment;

[0012] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the outer shell of the neutron target station insert in one embodiment;

[0013] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the substrate of a neutron target station insert in one embodiment;

[0014] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the elevation plate of a neutron target station insert in one embodiment;

[0015] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the wedge-shaped structure of a neutron target station insert in one embodiment;

[0016] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the shielding shell (including the first neutron conduit and the second neutron conduit) of the neutron target station insert in one embodiment;

[0017] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the shielding shell of a neutron target station insert in one embodiment;

[0018] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the pin, pin groove, and rolling ball on the shielding shell of the neutron target station insert in one embodiment;

[0019] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second neutron conduit (including a vacuum shell) of the neutron target station insert in one embodiment;

[0020] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second neutron conduit of the neutron target station insert in one embodiment;

[0021] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a neutron spectrometer beam splitting system in one embodiment.

[0022] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1. Shielding shell; 11. Mounting channel; 12. Rolling ball; 13. Lifting ring; 21. First neutron conduit; 22. Second neutron conduit; 201. Reflective layer; 202. Glass layer; 203. Reflective layer; 23. Vacuum shell; 231. Evacuation port; 232. Aluminum window; 3. Top screw; 41. Pin; 42. Pin groove; 5. Wedge structure; 10. Outer shell; 101. Base plate; 102. Side plate; 103. Top plate; 104. Elevation plate; 100. Neutron switch insert; 200. Neutron target station insert; 300. Neutron chopper; 1000. Neutron spectrometer beam splitting system. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to specific embodiments and accompanying drawings. Similar elements in different embodiments are referred to by associated similar element reference numerals. In the following embodiments, many details are described to facilitate a better understanding of this application. However, those skilled in the art will readily recognize that some features may be omitted in different situations, or may be replaced by other elements, materials, or methods. In some cases, certain operations related to this application are not shown or described in the specification. This is to avoid obscuring the core parts of this application with excessive description. For those skilled in the art, detailed description of these related operations is not necessary; they can fully understand the related operations based on the description in the specification and general technical knowledge in the art.

[0024] Furthermore, the features, operations, or characteristics described in the specification can be combined in any suitable manner to form various embodiments. At the same time, the steps or actions in the method description can be rearranged or adjusted in a manner obvious to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the various orders in the specification and drawings are only for the clear description of a particular embodiment and do not imply a necessary order, unless otherwise stated that a particular order must be followed.

[0025] The serial numbers assigned to components in this document, such as "first" and "second," are used only to distinguish the described objects and have no sequential or technical meaning. The terms "connection" and "linkage" used in this application, unless otherwise specified, include both direct and indirect connections (linkages).

[0026] In one embodiment of this application, the neutron target station insert is applied to an existing neutron target station. Therefore, the external dimensions of the neutron target station insert can only be finely adjusted compared to the external dimensions of neutron target station inserts in the prior art. Furthermore, the neutron target station did not consider beam splitting in the initial design stage, and the space available for beam splitting is small. The space available for setting the first neutron conduit and the second neutron conduit is quite limited. In this embodiment, the neutron target station insert enables beam splitting operation in a confined space.

[0027] In this embodiment of the invention, the neutron target station insert includes an outer shell, a shielding shell, a first neutron conduit, and a second neutron conduit. The shielding shell has two through mounting channels for mounting the first and second neutron conduits, which are set at an angle. The outer shell has a mounting cavity for mounting the shielding shell. Because the shielding shell contains the first and second neutron conduits set at an angle, two angled neutron beams can be transmitted through the neutron target station insert, allowing the neutron reactor or target station to simultaneously output two neutron beams to two independent spectrometer halls, significantly improving the utilization rate of the reactor or target station.

[0028] Example 1:

[0029] like Figures 1 to 10 As shown in one embodiment of this application, a neutron target station insert 200 is provided, including a shielding shell 1, a first neutron conduit 21, a second neutron conduit 22, and an outer shell 10. The outer shell 10 is embedded in the wall of the target station or reactor and has a through mounting cavity. The shielding shell 1 is disposed within the mounting cavity and has two through mounting channels 11. The first neutron conduit 21 and the second neutron conduit 22 are respectively installed in the two mounting channels 11, and the first neutron conduit 21 and the second neutron conduit 22 are arranged at an included angle. The neutron beam can be injected / expelled through the first neutron conduit 21 and the second neutron conduit 22.

[0030] In this embodiment, the neutron target station insert 200 has a first neutron conduit 21 and a second neutron conduit 22 arranged at an angle inside the shielding shell 1. The neutron target station insert 200 can transmit two neutron beams at an angle, so that the neutron reactor or target station can output two neutron beams to two independent spectrometer halls at the same time, which greatly improves the utilization rate of the reactor or target station.

[0031] The neutron target station insert 200 in this embodiment is applied to an existing neutron target station. Therefore, the external dimensions of the neutron target station insert 200 can only be slightly adjusted compared to the external dimensions of the neutron target station insert in the prior art. Moreover, the neutron target station did not consider beam splitting in the initial design stage, and the space available for beam splitting is small. The space that can be set for the first neutron conduit 21 and the second neutron conduit 22 is quite limited. In order to achieve beam splitting in a narrow space, the first neutron conduit 21 and the second neutron conduit 22 must be able to achieve accurate collimation installation.

[0032] The outer shell 10 is embedded in the wall of the neutron target station, and the outer shell 10 serves as the mounting reference for the shielding shell 1. In this embodiment, the mounting cavity includes a base plate 101, two side plates 102, and a top plate 103. The base plate 101, side plates 102, and top plate 103 enclose the mounting cavity. The base plate 101 and the top plate 103 are arranged opposite to each other, the two side plates 102 are arranged opposite to each other, and the shielding shell 1 is connected to the base plate 101.

[0033] The shielding shell 1 is used to install the first neutron conduit 21 and the second neutron conduit 22. The shielding shell 1 needs to be installed accurately to ensure the normal operation of the product. Therefore, in this embodiment, the shielding shell 1 includes an elevation plate 104, which is connected to the base plate 101. The relative position of the elevation plate 104 and the base plate 101 is adjustable.

[0034] In this embodiment, the position of the shielding shell 1 in the mounting cavity is adjusted by adjusting the relative position of the elevation plate 104 and the base plate 101. Therefore, the connection and installation of the shielding shell 1 and the elevation plate 104 should be accurate.

[0035] In this embodiment, the elevation plate 104 is provided with a pin 41 or a pin groove 42, and the shielding shell 1 is correspondingly provided with a pin groove 42 or a pin 41. The pin 41 and the pin groove 42 cooperate to ensure accurate connection and installation of the shielding shell 1 and the elevation plate 104, and to ensure installation accuracy. In this embodiment, the elevation plate 104 is provided with one pin 41 and one pin groove 42, and correspondingly, the shielding shell 1 is provided with one pin groove 42 and one pin 41. At the same time, the shielding shell 1 is also provided with several rolling ball markers 12. All the rolling ball markers 12 are not on the same straight line. This arrangement can help to complete the installation and positioning of the shielding shell 1 and the elevation plate 104, and ensure that the two are parallel.

[0036] To adjust the relative position of the elevation plate 104 and the base plate 101, in this embodiment, the base plate 101 is provided with several wedge structures 5. The wedge structures 5 on the base plate 101 are used to adjust the gap between the elevation plate 104 and the base plate 101, that is, the wedge structures 5 on the base plate 101 are used to adjust the vertical height of the shielding shell 1 in the mounting cavity. To ensure that the elevation plate 104 remains horizontal after adjustment, the base plate 101 is provided with three wedge structures 5, and the three wedge structures 5 are not on the same straight line. With this arrangement, the horizontal position of the elevation plate 104 can be ensured through the cooperation of the three wedge structures 5.

[0037] In this embodiment, the elevation plate 104 is also provided with several wedge-shaped structures 5 and several set screws 3. The wedge-shaped structures 5 and set screws 3 on the elevation plate 104 are used to adjust the gap between the elevation plate 104 and the side plate 102, that is, to adjust the left and right position of the shielding shell 1 in the mounting cavity. To ensure that the elevation plate 104 does not tilt, in this embodiment, two wedge-shaped structures 5 and two set screws 3 are symmetrically provided on the elevation plate 104, and the positions of the wedge-shaped structures 5 and the set screws 3 are arranged in a rectangular shape. With this arrangement, the wedge-shaped structures 5 and the set screws 3 can cooperate to ensure that the elevation plate 104 does not tilt.

[0038] In this embodiment, the substrate 101 is also provided with set screws 3 that act on the elevation plate 104. These set screws 3 are used to adjust the position of the elevation plate 104 along the axis of the mounting cavity, that is, to adjust the front and rear position of the shielding shell 1 within the mounting cavity. Meanwhile, to ensure that the elevation plate 104 does not tilt, in this embodiment, the substrate 101 is provided with two set screws 3 that act on the elevation plate 104, and the two set screws 3 are arranged approximately symmetrically along the axis of the mounting cavity. This arrangement ensures that the elevation plate 104 does not tilt through the cooperation of the two set screws 3.

[0039] Both the first neutron conduit 21 and the second neutron conduit 22 are used to transmit neutron beams. In this embodiment, both the first neutron conduit 21 and the second neutron conduit 22 have a three-layer structure, including a reflective layer 201, a glass layer 202, and a metal layer 203 arranged sequentially from the inside out. The reflective layer 201 is deposited on the glass layer 202, and the glass layer 202 is suspended and fixed within the metal layer 203 by a set screw 3. To ensure the transmission effect of the neutron beam, in this embodiment, the reflective layer 201 is made of a Ni / Ti multilayer film with an m value of 3, and the glass layer 202 is made of boron-free float glass. To ensure the operational stability of the first neutron conduit 21 and the second neutron conduit 22, both adopt a soft metal sealing method, and sintered boron carbide is also provided at their ports to block leaked thermal neutrons.

[0040] In this embodiment, to ensure that the first neutron conduit 21 and the second neutron conduit 22 are in a vacuum environment, a vacuum shell 23 is provided on the outside of the first neutron conduit 21 and the second neutron conduit 22. The vacuum shell 23 is provided with an air extraction port 231 for vacuuming, and aluminum windows 232 are also provided at both ends of the vacuum shell 23. In this embodiment, the air extraction port 231 is a KF25 air extraction port, and the thickness of the aluminum window 232 is 0.5mm. A target for retesting is also provided on the shell of the vacuum shell 23.

[0041] The first neutron conduit 21 and the second neutron conduit 22 are used to transmit neutron beams for use in passing experimental neutron beams through different spectrometer halls. Therefore, the installation positions of the first neutron conduit 21 and the second neutron conduit 22 should be accurate to ensure accurate neutron beam conduction.

[0042] In this embodiment, a neutron conduit adjustment mechanism is provided at the port of the mounting channel 11. This mechanism is used to adjust the positions of the first neutron conduit 21 and the second neutron conduit 22 within the mounting channel 11. Specifically, the neutron conduit adjustment mechanism includes set screws 3. A plurality of set screws 3 are arranged around the port of the mounting channel 11. The set screws 3 at the port of the mounting channel 11 abut against the first neutron conduit 21 or the second neutron conduit 22. By adjusting the set screws 3 at the port of the mounting channel 11, the up / down and left / right positions of the first neutron conduit 21 and the second neutron conduit 22 within the mounting channel 11 can be adjusted.

[0043] In this embodiment, the shielding shell 1 is also provided with several lifting rings 13, which are used to assist in moving the shielding shell 1 and facilitate operation.

[0044] The collimation installation steps of the neutron target station insert 200 in one embodiment are as follows: First, assemble the outer shell 10 and the shielding shell 1 respectively; the assembly steps of the outer shell 10 are as follows: First, remove the transition plate at the mounting cavity of the outer shell 10, assemble the wedge structure 5 and the base plate 101, push the assembled base plate 101 into the outer shell 10, level it and lock it; then push the two side plates 102 into the outer shell 10 with the base plate 101 as the reference surface, level it and lock it; then push the top plate 103 into the outer shell 10 with the side plates 102 as the reference, lock it, and the assembly of the outer shell 10 is completed. The assembly steps of the shielding shell 1 are as follows: First, assemble the first neutron conduit 21 and the second neutron conduit 22 with the vacuum shell 23, including the size detection and leak detection of the vacuum shell 23, and then fit the center lines of the first neutron conduit 21 and the second neutron conduit 22; assemble the shielding shell 1 on the platform; establish a local coordinate network to obtain the theoretical center line of the shielding shell 1, and give the theoretical center lines of the first neutron conduit 21 and the second neutron conduit 22; then push the first neutron conduit 21 and the second neutron conduit 22 (including the vacuum shell 23) into the installation channel 11, and adjust the relative positions of the first neutron conduit 21 and the second neutron conduit 22 (including the vacuum shell 23) with the shielding shell 1 (including the up, down, left, right and front positions); assemble the elevation plate 104 (including the wedge structure 5); pre-assemble the shielding shell 1 and the elevation plate 104 by using pins 41 and pin slots 42, and calibrate the relative positional relationship between the elevation plate 104 and the shielding shell 1 to complete the assembly of the shielding shell 1. After the outer shell 10 and the shielding shell 1 are assembled, the elevation plate 104 is pushed into the outer shell 10 to assemble the connection structure between the outer shell 10 and the shielding shell 1. Finally, the coordinates of the targets (the targets are set on the vacuum shell 23) of the first neutron conduit 21 and the second neutron conduit 22 are measured in the spectrometer coordinate grid. Once the coordinates are remeasured, the collimation installation of the neutron target station insert 200 can be completed to complete the beam splitting operation in a confined space.

[0045] Example 2:

[0046] like Figure 11 As shown, one embodiment of this application provides a neutron spectrometer beam splitting system 1000, including a neutron switch insert 100, a neutron target station insert 200, and a neutron chopper 300 arranged in sequence. The neutron target station insert 200 is the neutron switch insert described in any embodiment of this application.

[0047] According to the neutron target station insert in the above embodiments, since the shielding shell is equipped with a first neutron conduit and a second neutron conduit arranged at an angle, two angled neutron beams can be transmitted through the neutron target station insert. This allows the neutron reactor or target station to simultaneously output two neutron beams to two independent spectrometer halls, significantly improving the utilization rate of the reactor or target station. Furthermore, various structures for assisting installation and positioning are provided between the outer shell and the shielding shell, facilitating the collimation installation of the product.

[0048] The above examples illustrate the present invention only to aid in understanding it and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art can make various simple deductions, modifications, or substitutions based on the principles of this invention.

Claims

1. A neutron target station insert, characterized in that, include: The housing has a through mounting cavity; A shielding shell is disposed within the mounting cavity, and the shielding shell has two through mounting channels; In addition, a first neutron conduit and a second neutron conduit are respectively disposed in the two installation channels. The first neutron conduit and the second neutron conduit are arranged at an angle, such that the first neutron conduit and the second neutron conduit gradually approach each other in a direction opposite to the neutron transmission direction. The mounting cavity includes a base plate, two side plates, and a top plate. The base plate, the side plates, and the top plate enclose the mounting cavity. The base plate and the top plate are disposed opposite to each other, and the two side plates are disposed opposite to each other. The shielding shell is connected to the base plate. The neutron target station insert also includes an elevation plate, the shielding shell is connected to the elevation plate, the elevation plate is connected to the base plate, and the relative position of the elevation plate and the base plate is adjustable; A neutron conduit adjustment mechanism is provided at the port of the installation channel. The neutron conduit adjustment mechanism is used to adjust the position of the first neutron conduit and the second neutron conduit within the installation channel. The neutron conduit adjustment mechanism includes a plurality of set screws arranged around the port. The set screws abut against the first neutron conduit and the second neutron conduit and are used to adjust the up, down, left, and right positions of the first neutron conduit and the second neutron conduit within the shielding shell. The first neutron conduit and the second neutron conduit are arranged at intervals on the left and right sides inside the shielding shell. The height of the second neutron conduit is higher than that of the first neutron conduit, and the bottom surface of the mounting channel for installing the second neutron conduit is higher than the bottom surface of the mounting channel for installing the first neutron conduit.

2. The neutron target insertion device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The elevation plate is provided with a pin or pin groove, and the shielding shell is provided with a corresponding pin groove or pin. The pin and the pin groove cooperate to assist in the connection and installation of the elevation plate and the shielding shell.

3. The neutron target insertion device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The shielding shell has several rolling ball markers on the side opposite to the elevation plate, and all the rolling ball markers are not on the same straight line.

4. The neutron target insertion device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The substrate is provided with a plurality of wedge-shaped structures, which are used to adjust the gap between the elevation plate and the substrate.

5. The neutron target insertion device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The elevation plate is provided with several wedge-shaped structures and several set screws, which are used to adjust the gap between the elevation plate and the side plate.

6. The neutron target insertion device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The substrate is provided with a plurality of set screws, which are used to adjust the position of the elevation plate along the axis of the mounting cavity.

7. A neutron spectrometer beam splitting system, characterized in that, It includes a neutron switch insert, a neutron target station insert, and a neutron chopper arranged in sequence, wherein the neutron target station insert is the neutron target station insert as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, and the neutron chopper has a dual neutron beam window.

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