Quantum Beam Science

13 pages, 4727 KB

Open AccessArticle

Development of a Cryogenic Load Frame for In Situ Neutron Diffraction

by Haibiao Zheng, Zhijian Tan, Chaoju Yu, Shengxiang Wang, Lufeng Yang, Junye Yang, Tianhai Chen, Le Kang and Jie Chen

Quantum Beam Sci. 2026, 10(3), 22; https://doi.org/10.3390/qubs10030022 - 8 Sep 2026

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Abstract

In recent years, an increasing number of national major projects have focused on the physicochemical properties of materials and the structural integrity of components in cryogenic environments. In situ neutron non-destructive testing offers a distinct advantage for scientific research conducted under cryogenic conditions. [...] Read more.

In recent years, an increasing number of national major projects have focused on the physicochemical properties of materials and the structural integrity of components in cryogenic environments. In situ neutron non-destructive testing offers a distinct advantage for scientific research conducted under cryogenic conditions. With the progressive advancement of neutron sources and neutron diffraction techniques, neutron probes have become indispensable for the in situ observation of lattice strain, phase transformation behavior, and residual stresses in materials at cryogenic temperatures. Based on the energy-resolved neutron imaging instrument (ERNI) at Beamline 13 of the China Spallation Neutron Source (CSNS), we have developed a cryogenic loading frame for in situ neutron diffraction tensile tests. This paper presents a detailed description of the mechanical structural design, cooling and control system, strength and thermal analyses, and experimental validation of the device. The apparatus enables in situ neutron diffraction experiments over a wide temperature range of 6–473 K, with an axial loading capacity of 50 kN. Furthermore, the device was employed to conduct in situ neutron diffraction measurements on austenitic 304 stainless steel at both room and cryogenic temperatures. The experimental results confirm that this equipment exhibits stable loading capability and precise temperature control, ensuring the reliability of the experimental data. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neutron Instrumentation)

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19 pages, 2110 KB

Open AccessArticle

Beam-Based Experimental Validation of FLUKA Predictions for Candidate Spacecraft Shielding Materials

by Charles J. Baker and Steven J. Simske

Quantum Beam Sci. 2026, 10(3), 21; https://doi.org/10.3390/qubs10030021 - 3 Sep 2026

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Abstract

Accurate prediction of radiation shielding performance is essential for selecting materials for future spacecraft and long-duration exploration missions. Monte Carlo radiation transport codes are widely used to simulate particle interactions, energy deposition, attenuation, and secondary radiation production; however, their reliability depends on validation [...] Read more.

Accurate prediction of radiation shielding performance is essential for selecting materials for future spacecraft and long-duration exploration missions. Monte Carlo radiation transport codes are widely used to simulate particle interactions, energy deposition, attenuation, and secondary radiation production; however, their reliability depends on validation against measurements obtained under controlled irradiation conditions. This study experimentally benchmarks FLUKA predictions for Aluminum 6061-T6, high-density polyethylene, a boron nitride nanotube composite, and boronated polyethylene exposed to a monoenergetic 150 MeV proton beam. Transmitted and secondary detector responses were measured using calibrated silicon detector instrumentation and compared with FLUKA models constructed from matched beam, material, and geometric definitions. Agreement was evaluated using normalized transmitted response, relative percent difference, root-mean-square error, spectral trend consistency, and combined experimental–simulation uncertainties. FLUKA reproduced the monotonic attenuation trends and identical material-performance ranking observed experimentally. Differences between predicted and measured transmitted responses remained within approximately ±5.1%, with an overall root-mean-square error of 0.035. Aluminum 6061-T6 produced the greatest downstream secondary response, whereas the hydrogen-rich and boron-containing materials produced lower integrated responses. The results provide a quantitative beam-based benchmark for FLUKA spacecraft shielding applications and identify material definition, detector response, secondary-particle transport, and geometric idealization as principal sources of residual discrepancy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Engineering and Structural Materials)

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23 pages, 9792 KB

Open AccessReview

A Time-of-Flight Neutron Backscattering Spectrometer at the China Spallation Neutron Source: Principle, Design, and Its Prospects

by Tao Xiong, Huibin Zhou, Xiong Lin and Hongyu Guo

Quantum Beam Sci. 2026, 10(3), 20; https://doi.org/10.3390/qubs10030020 - 27 Aug 2026

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Abstract

The quasielastic neutron scattering technique is an indispensable tool for probing microscopic dynamics in condensed matter at the nanoscale. However, the lack of a high-resolution spectrometer has restricted comprehensive studies of dynamics in China. To address this gap, a new time-of-flight neutron backscattering [...] Read more.

The quasielastic neutron scattering technique is an indispensable tool for probing microscopic dynamics in condensed matter at the nanoscale. However, the lack of a high-resolution spectrometer has restricted comprehensive studies of dynamics in China. To address this gap, a new time-of-flight neutron backscattering spectrometer, NuBS, is currently under construction at the China Spallation Neutron Source. This review systematically introduces basic principles, instrumental design, and scientific opportunities of NuBS. NuBS is engineered to deliver high energy resolution with a broad dynamic range, based on the moderator pulse structure. Given the wide time window of NuBS, we highlight its research prospects in frontier areas, including energy storage materials and heterogeneous catalysis. NuBS is expected to provide new opportunities for studies of complex molecular dynamics and in situ investigations, significantly elevating the capabilities of the quasielastic neutron scattering community upon its scheduled completion. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neutron Instrumentation)

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32 pages, 14030 KB

Open AccessArticle

Full-Tensor Magic Angle Pair Spectroscopy

by Grant B. Bunker

Quantum Beam Sci. 2026, 10(3), 19; https://doi.org/10.3390/qubs10030019 - 19 Aug 2026

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Abstract

Linear dichroism (LD) optical absorption spectroscopy historically has found substantial yet still limited application in broad areas of science. In particular, full-dipole-tensor reconstruction has been onerous, usually requiring tedious and difficult measurements on single crystals at many orientations using a four-circle goniometer. As [...] Read more.

Linear dichroism (LD) optical absorption spectroscopy historically has found substantial yet still limited application in broad areas of science. In particular, full-dipole-tensor reconstruction has been onerous, usually requiring tedious and difficult measurements on single crystals at many orientations using a four-circle goniometer. As a consequence, it is very seldom done. Here, we propose, and test by numerical simulation, a simpler, faster, novel method of determining the full dipole optical absorption tensor of homogeneous planar films in real time as a function of energy (or wavelength), while requiring only minimal additional time and instrumentation. The goal of this paper is to explain the theory and to demonstrate the effectiveness and stability of the procedure using synthetic data sets. Experimental implementation and testing is deferred to future work and publications. The full-tensor spectrum, after construction from the experimental data, allows one to instantly calculate the absorption for any selected polarization direction, even those that are physically inaccessible to experimental measurement. Although our specific application in this paper is X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (XAFS) Spectroscopy, the method should be applicable to UV–Vis, IR, THz, microwave, and other wavelengths. A strength of this measurement modality is that full-tensor data can be acquired using essentially the same sort of scanning geometry that is normally used for XAFS, with only a discrete shift in the spin axis orientation between groups of scans. The additional instrumentation needed to determine the five Fourier components of the signal at each energy is minimal; two angles gives ten parameters, while six are strictly needed. Robust inversion from data to tensor elements is demonstrated, implemented via simple matrix multiplication. Outside of XAFS, FTMAPS is also expected to be applicable to diverse scientific and technological areas such as oriented bio-molecular films, semiconductor and materials physics, and process control of thin-film photovoltaics and semiconductors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Spectroscopy Technique)

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Graphical abstract

14 pages, 3658 KB

Open AccessArticle

Improvements in the Sample Space for the Backscattering Silicon Spectrometer (BASIS)

by Chris Schmitt, Niina Jalarvo, Naresh C. Osti, Tyler White, John Wenzel, Xiaosong Geng, Rebecca Mills and Eugene Mamontov

Quantum Beam Sci. 2026, 10(3), 18; https://doi.org/10.3390/qubs10030018 - 4 Aug 2026

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Abstract

The increase in neutron flux at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) Spallation Neutron Source (SNS), currently operating at 2.0 MW proton beam power, has created new opportunities for higher-throughput neutron scattering experiments while also increasing the importance of minimizing background scattering and [...] Read more.

The increase in neutron flux at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) Spallation Neutron Source (SNS), currently operating at 2.0 MW proton beam power, has created new opportunities for higher-throughput neutron scattering experiments while also increasing the importance of minimizing background scattering and optimizing sample-environment operations. To address these challenges faced by the Backscattering Silicon Spectrometer (BASIS), several upgrades were developed and evaluated, including boron carbide (B₄C) masking for flat-plate sample containers, multi-cell sample holders used with a vertically translating sample stick, and an automated helium pump-and-purge (HPP) system for closed-cycle refrigerators. Neutron diffraction measurements demonstrate that B₄C masks reduce background scattering by 49–67%, outperforming both borated aluminum and boron nitride masks while introducing no additional Bragg reflections within the instrument’s accessible Q-range. Commissioning tests of a double-cell flat-plate sample container showed no measurable crosstalk between adjacent sample compartments and confirmed a stable thermal performance, enabling multiple samples to be measured without repeated temperature cycling. In addition, the automated HPP system provided reproducible sample-space gas handling with approximately ±1 mbar precision while reducing the need for operator intervention and supporting remote operation. Together, these developments improve signal-to-noise performance, increase experimental throughput, and enhance operational efficiency at BASIS, supporting the instrument’s continued operation under higher neutron flux conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neutron Scattering: Latest Advances and Prospects)

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35 pages, 6620 KB

Open AccessReview

Wafer Support Systems (WSSs) as Beam–Matter Interaction Platforms: Electrostatic Chucking, Thermal Transport, Metrology Coupling, Industrial Architectures, and Emerging Semiconductor Platforms

by Abbas Alshehabi, Jaafar Almutawa and Mahmood Abduljabbar Hammad

Quantum Beam Sci. 2026, 10(3), 17; https://doi.org/10.3390/qubs10030017 - 23 Jul 2026

Viewed by 848

Abstract

Wafer support systems (WSSs) are commonly treated as passive mechanical fixtures in semiconductor tools, yet they function in practice as active beam-facing platforms that shape the conditions under which quantum beams interact with wafers. This review re-examines WSSs from a quantum beam science [...] Read more.

Wafer support systems (WSSs) are commonly treated as passive mechanical fixtures in semiconductor tools, yet they function in practice as active beam-facing platforms that shape the conditions under which quantum beams interact with wafers. This review re-examines WSSs from a quantum beam science perspective by integrating beam–matter interaction physics, electrostatic chucking, thermal transport, precision stage dynamics, industrial platform architectures, and beam-coupled metrology within a unified framework. Drawing on academic and industrial sources, the review compares lithography, plasma-processing, deposition, inspection, and metrology environments to show how support-platform design influences stability, heat dissipation, charging behavior, vibration sensitivity, wafer flatness, and defect detectability. Particular emphasis is placed on electrostatic chucks as coupled electrical and thermal interfaces, on precision motion systems as beam-conditioning infrastructure, and on the growing role of support architectures in advanced X-ray, electron-beam, and hybrid metrology workflows. Selected comparative figures are constructed to support cross-platform interpretation. By framing WSSs as beam–matter interaction platforms rather than passive hardware, this review identifies new opportunities for linking beam physics, materials selection, thermal management, and precision engineering in next-generation semiconductor manufacturing and metrology, including emerging smart support architectures with sensing, adaptive control, and data-driven optimization. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Engineering and Structural Materials)

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13 pages, 1163 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Delay-Programmable Two-Color Femtosecond Source for Multiphoton Ionization Studies Based on Chirped-Seed NOPA

by Kyle Foster, Shruti Majumdar, Mason Toombs, Harshit Agarwal and Daniel Fischer

Quantum Beam Sci. 2026, 10(3), 16; https://doi.org/10.3390/qubs10030016 - 7 Jul 2026

Viewed by 376

Abstract

We demonstrate a delay-programmable two-color femtosecond source based on a chirped-seed noncollinear optical parametric amplifier. Introducing controlled dispersion into the seed enables spectral selection through pump–seed delay, allowing flexible generation of two independently tunable pulse components with adjustable relative timing at high repetition [...] Read more.

We demonstrate a delay-programmable two-color femtosecond source based on a chirped-seed noncollinear optical parametric amplifier. Introducing controlled dispersion into the seed enables spectral selection through pump–seed delay, allowing flexible generation of two independently tunable pulse components with adjustable relative timing at high repetition rate. The source provides tunable output across the 660–950 nm spectral range with pulse energies of up to 1.5 μJ per spectral component and typical pulse durations of 40–60 fs. The temporal and spectral properties are characterized using nonlinear optical cross-correlation and dispersion-scan measurements. As a benchmark application, the source is employed in a COLTRIMS-based multiphoton ionization experiment on trapped Li atoms, revealing delay-dependent ionization pathways and demonstrating its suitability for bichromatic ultrafast spectroscopy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section High-Power Laser Physics)

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12 pages, 11335 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Compact Laser Raman Spectrometer Using a Blue Diode Laser and a Novel Combination Backscattering–Sidescattering Geometry

by Kazi Monowar Abedin

Quantum Beam Sci. 2026, 10(3), 15; https://doi.org/10.3390/qubs10030015 - 1 Jul 2026

Viewed by 479

Abstract

Laser Raman spectroscopy is a versatile and well-known technique to probe molecular vibrations. The aim of the study is to design and construct a compact, easy-to-use Raman spectrometer and verify its operation. A laser Raman spectrometer was constructed using a blue diode laser [...] Read more.

Laser Raman spectroscopy is a versatile and well-known technique to probe molecular vibrations. The aim of the study is to design and construct a compact, easy-to-use Raman spectrometer and verify its operation. A laser Raman spectrometer was constructed using a blue diode laser module operating at 402 nm, a novel and efficient combination of backscattering and sidescattering collection geometries, and a spectrometer employing an uncooled CCD (charge-coupled device). The choice of the excitation laser wavelength at 402 nm significantly improves the Raman generation efficiency compared to that for excitation lasers operating at longer wavelengths. Off-the-shelf optical components were used throughout the system. The Raman spectrometer is relatively compact and easy to operate. The operation of the Raman spectrometer was verified with well-known molecules. Raman spectra of several sample materials (both liquids and solids) were acquired and presented. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Spectroscopy Technique)

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Quantum Beam Sci., Volume 10, Issue 3 (September 2026) – 8 articles

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