Development of ³He Polarized Neutron Spin Filters at KENS

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Ino, Takashi | Jones, Gordon L. | Kim, Guinyun | Masuda, Yasuhiro | Muto, Suguru | Skoy, Vadim R.

Affiliations: KEK, High Energy Accelerator Research Organization, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0801, Japan | Hamilton College, Clinton, NY 13323, USA | Kyungpook National University, 1370 Sankyok-dong, Buk-gu, Daegu 702-701, South Korea | Frank Laboratory of Neutron Physics, Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, 141980 Dubna, Moscow Region, Russian Federation

Note: [] Corresponding author. Tel.: +81-29-864-5619. Fax: +81-29-864-3202. E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: We report on progress of the development of neutron spin filters based on polarized gaseous 3He at KENS (Neutron Science Laboratory, KEK). 3He polarizer cells made of quartz glass and sapphire are prepared and tested. Quartz glass cells with spin relaxation times of more than 100 h are routinely produced. A 3He polarization of 63% has been achieved with a sapphire cell of a 3He pressure of 3 atm, and with this 3He cell, a neutron polarization of about 86% was obtained at thermal energy.

Keywords: Neutron spin filter, Polarized neutron, Polarized 3He, Spin exchange method, Optical pumping

DOI: 10.1080/10238160412331299447

Journal: Journal of Neutron Research, vol. 12, no. 4, pp. 283-286, 2004