Monte Carlo simulation of the neutron guide system for the SNS engineering diffractometer

VULCAN, the SNS engineering diffractometer, is designed to tackle a broad range of engineering problems, from residual stress distribution in components to materials response under loading. In VULCAN, neutrons are delivered to the sample position via a series of straight and curved neutron guides. An interchangeable guide-collimator system is planned in the incident beam path, allowing the instrument to be optimally configured for individual experiments with different intensity-resolution requirements. To achieve maximum data rate and large d-spacing coverage, detectors are employed continuously from 60deg to 150deg in the horizontal scattering plane and -30deg to 30deg in the vertical plane. To enable simultaneous small angle scattering measurements for characterization of the microstructure, the instrument is also equipped with a position sensitive area detector. Monte Carlo simulation indicates that the proposed neutron guide system is able to deliver the desired intensity and resolution. (author)