Development of bulk texture measurement technique by time-of-flight neutron diffraction

Xu, P. G.   ; Hoshikawa, Akinori*; Hayashi, Makoto*; Akita, Koichi; Morii, Yukio*; Ishigaki, Toru*

Time-of-flight neutron diffraction may evidently accelerate the bulk texture measurement speed through the proper combination of multiple orientations distributed neutron detectors and the simultaneous multiple diffraction peak acquisition, and only few sample rotations are needed to be carried out. In addition to the omega-axis rotatable sample changer, a dedicated omega/chi two-axis rotatable goniometer is under urgent development. It is highly expected to play an important role to evaluate the bulk texture evolution of advanced materials during thermomechanical controlling process. Though the intrinsic difference in neutron diffraction spectra from different orientations (determined by each set of Bragg angle/azimuthal angle) evidently increases the technical difficulty in rapid texture analysis, the development of Materials Analysis Using Diffraction (MAUD, developed by Luca Lutterotti, et al.) and other relevant software/programs are bringing us much convenience. Moreover, in order to increase the accessibility to neutron diffraction bulk texture measurement instruments, the various cooperative researches and the mail-in services are being planned.