Optimization strategies and artefacts of time-involved small angle neutron scattering experiments

Abstract

Kinetic small-angle neutron scattering provides access to the microscopic properties of mesoscale systems under slow, periodic perturbations. By interlocking the phases of neutron pulse, sample modulation, and detector signal, so-called Time-Involved Small Angle Neutron scattering Experiments (TISANE) allow to exploit the neutron velocity spread and record data without major sacrifice in intensity at time-scales down to micro-seconds. We review the optimization strategies of TISANE that arise from specific aspects of the process of data acquisition and data analysis starting from the basic principles of operation. Typical artefacts of data recorded in TISANE due to the choice of time-binning and neutron chopper pulse width are illustrated by virtue of the response of the skyrmion lattice in MnSi under periodic changes of the direction of the magnetic field stabilizing the skyrmion lattice.