Small angle neutron scattering instrument Bilby: capabilities to study mainstream and complex systems

Full text: ANSTO for more than ten years successfully operates the Small Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS) instrument Quokka and in 2016 commenced the user operation of the second SANS instrument, Bilby. The Ultra small angle scattering instrument Kookaburra is completing the set of the SANS instruments at ANSTO. Bilby exploits neutron Time-of-Flight (ToF) to extend the simultaneous measurable Q-range over and above what is possible on a conventional reactor based monochromatic SANS instrument. In ToF mode, choppers are used to create neutron pulses comprising wavelengths between 2 and 20 Å of variable wavelength resolution (~3% ‒ 30%). In addition, Bilby can operate in monochromatic mode using a velocity selector. Two arrays of position sensitive detectors in combination with utilizing the wide wavelength range provide the capability to collect scattering data of a wide simultaneous angular range without changing the experimental set up (maximum accessible Q on the instrument is 0.001-1.8Å-1). Additionally, there is a range of sample environment availaible allowing to change sample conditions in situ, which is priceless for the study of a wide variety of samples ranging from colloids and hierarchical materials to metals. Here we present some recent examples. (author)