MLZ is a cooperation between:

Technische Universität München> Technische Universität MünchenHelmholtz-Zentrum Hereon> Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon
Forschungszentrum Jülich> Forschungszentrum Jülich

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Lichtenbergstr.1
85748 Garching

ANTARES

Cold neutron radiography and tomography facility

This instrument is focussed on cold neutrons. All parameters given here are valid during the current operation of FRM II. Please get in touch with the instrument team well in advance for all further details (length of experiment etc.).

Instrumentscheme ANTARES Instrumentscheme ANTARES

The neutron imaging facility ANTARES is located at the neutron beam port SR-4a of FRM II. Based on a pinhole and flight tube principle (no neutron guide) with a variable collimator located close to the beam port, the facility provides for flexible use in high resolution and high flux imaging.

ANTARES offers two different detector positions, which may be chosen according to the requirements for beam size, neutron flux and spatial resolution. Both chambers offer abundant space for user-provided experimental systems or sample environment.

The beam formation chamber is separately accessible for the optional installation of devices shaping beam and spectrum provided by the user. At this position, ANTARES also offers built-in options such as a velocity selector, neutron grating interferometer and a double crystal monochromator, which are readily available for standard user operation.

The thermal neutron spectrum of ANTARES is shown in fig. 5 (see gallery). ANTARES offers a high neutron flux of approx. 6 · 107 n cm-2 s-1 at a typical collimation of L/D = 500. By using different pinholes the collimation can be adjusted to the requirements of the experiment.

Additionally we can provide access to a 300 kV microfocus X-ray CT setup for complementary investigations with a spatial resolution as good as 1 μm.

Applications

The neutron imaging facility ANTARES is designed to deliver radiographs and CTs of samples, which are often complementary to X-ray measurements. The most important features are the high penetration of metals (Fe ~4 – 5 cm, Al ~20 – 30 cm, Pb ~10 – 20 cm) and the high sensitivity for hydrogen. These allow to visualize metal machine parts as well as liquids, sealants, and plastics inside of metal parts. Liquid contrast agents can be employed for crack and void detection. Typical applications are in Archaeology, Paleontology, Biology, Life Sciences, Magnetism and non-destructive testing of mission critical parts.

Available techniques:
  • Neutron radiography of static samples and dynamic processes with up to several 100 frames per second (depending on spatial resolution)
  • Computed tomography (a few seconds per scan up to several hours depending on spatial resolution)
  • Neutron Grating Interferometry (spatially resolved USANS off structures of 100 nm – 10 µm)
  • Bragg Edge Imaging (after discussion)
  • Polarized neutron imaging (after discussion)
Special Sample Environment
  • 100 kN tensile rig
  • 3He cryostat (min. 500 mK)
  • 300 mT normal conducting magnet
  • Vacuum furnace up to 400°C
Technical Data
Beam properties
  • Default collimation ratio L/D=500 at the sample position with a flux of 6.4 · 107 n cm-2 s-1
  • Collimation ratio adjustable between L/D = 250 and 7200
  • Beam size up to 35 × 35 cm²
Neutron beam optics (optional)
  • Neutron velocity selector: 1.6 Å ≤ λ ≤ 3 Å (Δλ/λ = 20 %) or 3.0 Å ≤ λ ≤ approx. 4 Å (Δλ/λ = 10 %)
  • Neutron grating interferometer: Sensitive to USANS scattering on length scales of 100 nm – 10 µm
  • Filter for epithermal neutron imaging for higher penetration
  • Double crystal monochromator: 1.4 Å ≤ λ ≤ approx. 4.0 Å (1 % < Δλ/λ < 3 %)
  • Neutron polarization analysis setup using 3He polarizers
Sample positioning
  • Flexible options depending on sample size and weight (10 kg … 500 kg)
Detection systems
  • Camera and scintillator based detection systems with spatial resolutions down to a few µm.
    • Standard detector: ANDOR cooled CCD camera, 2048 × 2048 pixels, 16 bit
    • Fast, cooled scientific CMOS camera: ANDOR Neo 2560 × 2160 pixels, 16 bit, up to 50 fps full frame
    • Intensified high speed CMOS camera, 1920 × 1080 pixels with 2000 fps
  • Imaging plate readers with neutron and X-ray imaging plates (focus size 12.5µm)

Instrument Scientists

Dr. Burkhard Schillinger
Phone: +49 (0)89 289-12185
E-Mail: burkhard.schillinger@frm2.tum.de

Dr. Michael Schulz
Phone: +49 (0)89 289-14718
E-Mail: michael.schulz@frm2.tum.de

ANTARES
Phone: +49 (0)89 289-14815

Operated by

TUM

News

3D printable shielding for thermal and cold neutrons

3D printable shielding for thermal and cold neutrons

Read more
NeutroSense improves detection

NeutroSense improves detection

Read more
ANTARES offers a new quadruple neutron computed tomography system

ANTARES offers a new quadruple neutron computed tomography system

Read more

Publications

Find the latest publications regarding ANTARES in our publication database iMPULSE:

impulse.mlz-garching.de

Citation of the instrument

Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Zentrum. (2015). ANTARES: Cold neutron radiography and tomography facility. Journal of large-scale research facilities, 1, A17. http://dx.doi.org/10.17815/jlsrf-1-42

For citation please always include the DOI.

Instrument control

Gallery

ANTARES
ANTARES
© B. Ludewig
ANTARES application example
ANTARES application example

Radiography of a motorcycle engine.

At the instrument ANTARES
At the instrument ANTARES
Antares scheme
Antares scheme
ANTARES fig. 5
ANTARES fig. 5

Thermal neutron spectrum

© MLZ

MLZ is a cooperation between:

Technische Universität München> Technische Universität MünchenHelmholtz-Zentrum Hereon> Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon
Forschungszentrum Jülich> Forschungszentrum Jülich

MLZ is a member of:

LENS> LENSERF-AISBL> ERF-AISBL

MLZ on social media: