A neutron spectrometer concept implementing RENS for studies in life sciences.
Resolution Elastic Neutron Scattering (RENS) method involves performing elastic scattering intensity scans as a function of the instrumental energy resolution and as a function of temperature.



In the framework of RENS, numerical simulation and experimental data show that in the measured elastic scattering law against the logarithm of the instrumental energy resolution an inflection point occurs when the resolution time intersects the system relaxation time; conversely, in the measured elastic scattering law against temperature an inflection point turns up when the system relaxation time intersects the resolution time.



For practical implementation of the RENS technique, a dedicated neutron spectrometer would be needed. Here we propose a concept of such a spectrometer that utilizes mechanical velocity selection of both incident and scattered neutrons over a wide angular range. The instrument is able to collect intensity scans vs energy resolution where the instrumental resolution time changes crisscrossing the system relaxation time, and intensity scans vs temperature where the system relaxation time changes intersecting the instrumental resolution time.



We propose a RENS spectrometer concept based on velocity selection of incident neutrons and wide-angle velocity selection of scattered neutrons achieved by the same rotating collimator-type mechanical device with the optimized shape of blades.



RENS spectrometer is strongly appealing and innovative because of the simultaneous data collection as a function of energy resolution, wide wavevector range and temperature. Such a spectrometer would be the first practical implementation of RENS concept with a broad range of applications in Life Sciences. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled "Science for Life" Guest Editor: Dr. Austen Angell, Dr. Salvatore Magazù and Dr. Federica Migliardo.
Department of Mathematics and Informatics Sciences, Physics Sciences and Earth Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. S. D'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy. Electronic address: smagazu@unime.it.
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Magazù
Chemical and Engineering Materials Division, Neutron Sciences Directorate, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA.
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Mamontov
D001690:Biological Science Disciplines; D004548:Elasticity; D033363:Neutron Diffraction; D013057:Spectrum Analysis / Q000295:instrumentation*
Elastic incoherent scattering; Life sciences; Neutron scattering; Resolution elastic neutron scattering