Experimental validation of the brightness distribution on the surfaces of coupled and decoupled moderators composed of 99.8% parahydrogen at the J-PARC pulsed spallation neutron source

Harada, Masahide   ; Teshigawara, Makoto   ; Oi, Motoki ; Klinkby, E.*; Zanini, L.*; Batkov, K.*; Oikawa, Kenichi   ; Toh, Yosuke   ; Kimura, Atsushi   ; Ikeda, Yujiro

At the J-PARC pulsed spallation neutron source, liquid hydrogen moderators composed of 99.8% parahydrogen associated with light-water premoderator have been providing high intensity cold and thermal neutron beams. In the design stage, simulations have shown not only high total neutron intensity in the coupled moderator but also a local neutron-brightness increase at the edges. The edge-effect-brightness increase is also exploited in the design of the European Spallation Source (ESS) moderators, which are based on 99.8% parahydrogen, but thin (thickness: 3 cm) to enhance the neutron brightness. In this study, the spatial distribution of the neutron brightness at the surface of the coupled moderator in the J-PARC pulsed spallation neutron source was directly measured with the pinhole geometry to validate the calculated edge-brightness enhancement. The brightness distribution at the moderator surface was clearly observed as predicted by a Monte Carlo simulation, proving the validity of the simulation tools used in the design-optimization process of the J-PARC and ESS moderator.