Desmearing two-dimensional small-angle neutron scattering data by central moment expansions

Abstract

Resolution smearing is a critical challenge in the quantitative analysis of two-dimensional small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) data, particularly in studies of soft matter flow and deformation using SANS. We present the central moment expansion technique to address smearing in anisotropic scattering spectra, offering a model-free desmearing methodology. By accounting for directional variations in resolution smearing and enhancing computational efficiency, this approach reconstructs desmeared intensity distributions from smeared experimental data. Computational benchmarks using interacting hard-sphere fluids and Gaussian chain models validate the accuracy of the method, while simulated noise analyses confirm its robustness under experimental conditions. Furthermore, experimental validation using the rheo-SANS data of shear-induced micellar structures demonstrates the practicality and effectiveness of the proposed algorithm. The desmearing technique provides a powerful tool for advancing the quantitative analysis of anisotropic scattering patterns, enabling precise insights into the interplay between material microstructure and macroscopic flow behavior.