Preliminary Design and Performance Simulation of a Thermal Neutron Diffractometer Using McStas

Abstract

This study presents a preliminary design and simulation of a thermal neutron diffractometer using the McStas Monte Carlo ray-tracing package. The simulated system is based on generalized instrument parameters, including typical collimator divergences, monochromator mosaic spreads, and detector positioning, rather than on any specific engineering blueprint. The simulation evaluates key performance metrics such as neutron flux distribution, beam divergence, and wavelength resolution along the beam path. Results demonstrate that, even under simplified geometric assumptions, the model can provide insight into component alignment, resolution limitations, and flux attenuation behavior. The modular structure of the simulation allows easy parameter adjustments for different instrument configurations and serves as a foundation for more advanced system-specific optimization studies. Additionally, the provided McStas input file serves as a reusable and customizable simulation template that can significantly reduce modeling time for engineering personnel during the early-stage design and layout phase. This tool also facilitates technical training and comparative analysis without relying on finalized engineering drawings.